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Back to Life Examined

Life Examined

Can misremembering help us feel better?

We’re often nostalgic when looking at past events. Our memories focus on the fun times, the images are often rosier than they actually were.

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By Jonathan Bastian • Apr 17, 2021 • 14m Listen

We’re often nostalgic when looking at past events. Our memories focus on the fun times, the images are often rosier than they actually were. This “fading affect bias” is common, and psychologists have been trying to understand why the brain works this way. Charlotte Lieberman is a journalist focusing on mental health research for the New York Times and other publications. She speaks with KCRW’s Jonathan Bastian about why misremembering the past can make us feel better.

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Jonathan Bastian

    Host, Life Examined

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    Andrea Brody

    Senior Producer, KCRW's Life Examined and To the Point podcast

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    Charlotte Lieberman

    Journalist focusing on mental health; author

    CultureHealth & WellnessScienceMental Health
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