The Science of Siblings: Why Twins Dispute Ownership of Memories

Are Memories Really Yours? The Intriguing Phenomenon of Disputed Memories Among Twins

Have you ever had a disagreement with a sibling over who experienced a particular memory? Maybe it was a family vacation, a special event, or even a first kiss. For Mercedes Sheen and her identical twin sister, these disputes were a common occurrence during their childhood in Quebec, Canada.

Mercedes, now a psychology professor at Heriot-Watt University in Dubai, recalls a specific memory of her first kiss at summer camp. The memory was crystal clear in her mind, but when she shared it with her twin sister, Michaela, they both claimed it as their own. This led to a series of arguments over the ownership of memories, with each twin feeling like their personal history was being taken away.

This phenomenon of disputed memories among twins intrigued Mercedes, leading her to conduct research on the topic. Collaborating with neuroscientist David Rubin, she recruited twins from the local multiple births society in Christchurch, New Zealand, to participate in a study. The results were fascinating – twins often disagreed on the ownership of memories, even when the event could have only happened to one of them.

But why do twins experience this phenomenon more frequently than non-twin siblings? Mercedes points to factors such as empathy inflation, contamination of memories by outside information, and source monitoring errors. Twins tend to impute more details to disputed memories, making them feel more real and vivid.

The research also sheds light on the nature of memory itself. Memories are not static recordings of past events but rather reconstructions that can be influenced by various factors. This explains why eyewitness testimony, which relies on memory, can be unreliable in legal settings.

In the end, Mercedes’ research not only deepened our understanding of memory but also brought her closer to her twin sister. Despite their disagreements over memories, they can now laugh about it and appreciate the complexity of their shared experiences.

If you’re curious to learn more about the science of memories and sibling relationships, check out NPR’s series on the Science of Siblings. And if you have any questions or thoughts on this topic, feel free to reach out to us at Short Wave.

Remember, memories are not just personal recollections but shared experiences that shape our identities and relationships. Embrace the complexity of memory and cherish the moments that make up your unique story.