Memory is impacted by perception

Memory is complicated by how we perceive the sights, sounds and sensations that surround us.

Some things that may affect how we evaluate information are age, sex, intelligence, education, disposition, nationality, social status, political and religious beliefs, physical appearance, income, the weather, the people around us, where we are, and the time of the day, month and year.

Imagine you are watching a piece of film with no sound. A young man is running across a field toward a grove of trees. Now replay the film and imagine light music in the background. The film is obviously showing us a happy young man, full of exuberance on a sunny day. Now run the film again, and this time the music is thunderingly romantic. He is now on his way to rendezvous with his love in the trees.

On our third replay of the film, imagine an agitated theme. This time he is being chased by something menacing. If only he can reach the trees, he may be safe. And finally, the music is ominous. He is unaware something terrible is waiting for him in the woods.

What you see is always the same, but your mood or expectations create your own perception. Follow it.