Source monitoring

/sɔːɹs ˈmɒn.ɪ.tɚ.ɪŋ/ noun

Definition

The cognitive process of determining the origin of a memory — whether information was perceived, imagined, told by someone, or dreamed.

Etymology

From Old French 'source' (origin) + Latin 'monitio' (a reminding). Monitoring where a memory came from.

Kelly Says

Source monitoring is your brain's fact-checker — did you actually SEE that, or did someone tell you about it? When this fails, you might remember dreams as real events!

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