Cryptamnesia

/ˌkrɪp.tæmˈni.ʒə/ noun

Definition

The recovery of forgotten memories, especially through hypnosis or psychoanalysis; also called 'cryptomnesia.'

Etymology

From Greek 'kryptos' (hidden) + 'amnesia' (loss of memory), literally 'hidden memory,' developed as a psychological term in the early 1900s.

Kelly Says

Carl Jung was fascinated by cryptamnesia—he believed artists unconsciously remembered things they'd seen years ago, which is why dreams and creative work sometimes contain 'new' ideas that are actually forgotten memories remixed.

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