[2026] PTE Academic Reading - Multiple Choice, Single Answer

Historically, human memory was viewed as a static recording that preserved experiences with photographic accuracy. Modern cognitive research has refuted this notion, proving that memory is a reconstructive process subject to constant alteration. The 'misinformation effect' demonstrates how subsequent information can distort a person's original recollection of an event. This cognitive fragility creates profound complications for the justice system, which often treats eyewitness accounts as definitive truth. Even when witnesses are truthful, their memories can be unknowingly corrupted by leading questions or post-event discussions. To safeguard against wrongful convictions, legal experts advocate for the implementation of scientifically-backed protocols for interviewing witnesses. Acknowledging the limitations of human recall is essential for modernizing judicial practices and maintaining the fairness of the law.