Declarative memory can be further divided into semantic memory (facts about the world) and episodic memory (the capacity to re-experience an event in the context in which it originally occurred). Since declarative memories are (due to their flexibility) especially prone to errors and distortions, the current review focuses specifically on the declarative memory system. Declarative memory is highly flexible, representational and provides a way to model the external world. An important principle for the declarative memory is the ability to detect, encode and retrieve what is unique about a single event occurring at a particular time and place. Declarative memory is a long term human memory system that refers to memories which can be consciously recalled such as facts, knowledge or events. Consequently those systems are differentially prone to false memories. Various memory systems can be distinguished in terms of the different kinds of information they process and the principles by which they operate. Just like perception, memory is a constructive process that is sometimes prone to error and distortion (e.g., ). An initial outline is developed within this review to connect the different memory stages and research strategies. Thus, future studies should try to integrate data from all phases to give a more comprehensive view on systematic memory distortions. Despite the fact that all phases entailing memory formation, consolidation of stored information and retrieval processes, are relevant for the forming of false memories, most studies focused on either memory encoding or retrieval. Most consistently the medial temporal lobe and the medial and lateral prefrontal cortex have been reported with regard to the formation of true and false memories. Different neuro-cognitive processes have been linked to the formation of true and false memories. Finally at the retrieval stage, monitoring processes, which are assumed to be essential to reject false memories, are of specific importance. Whereas, processes like imagery, self-referential encoding or spreading activation can lead to the formation of false memories at encoding, semantic generalization during sleep and updating processes due to misleading post event information, in particular, are relevant at the consolidation stage. All of these sub-processes are vulnerable for specific errors and consequently may result in false memories. Memory formation comprises at least three different sub-processes: encoding, consolidation and the retrieval of the learned material. A false memory is the recollection of an event, or details of an episode, that did not actually occur. These reconstructions are prone to be influenced by several factors, which may result in false memories. Perception and memory are imperfect reconstructions of reality.
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