Describe the conditions under which memories may be, either intentionally or unintentionally, fabricated and/or changed.

Instructions to students: Please read the following paragraph and write a 2- to 3-page essay (typed, double spaced) in response. In your essay, be sure to clearly and completely answer the prompt, using information from the textbook, that which was discussed in class, and your personal viewpoint. It is not necessary to consult outside sources to complete this assignment.
Critical Thinking Assignment: The manner in which memories are encoded, stored, and retrieved is of central importance to the issues of eyewitness testimony and false memories. In an integrated format, describe the processes of memory encoding, storing, and retrieval. Then, describe the conditions under which memories may be, either intentionally or unintentionally, fabricated and/or changed. Be sure to comment on external stimuli (such as the setting of the recalled event) and internal characteristics (such as age, gender, motivations of the individual, etc.) that may influence these processes.