Cryptomnesia

Cryptomnesia is a memory phenomenon in which a forgotten memory returns and is mistaken for a new idea, discovery, or creation. In cryptomnesia the content is real, but the source is misattributed, leading the person to believe they originated it themselves. The term is used in cognitive psychology to describe unintentional plagiarism or creative misattribution, where no deception is intended.

Causes and mechanisms: It is thought to involve failures of source monitoring, the cognitive process that tags memories with their origin. When a memory perceives as familiar without a remembered source, people may retrieve an old idea and produce it as if it were novel. This process can occur with words, melodies, phrases, or plot ideas after incidental exposure, sleep, or fatigue, creating a sense of originality that is not accurate.

Examples and implications: In creative fields, cryptomnesia can produce near-identical melodies, lines, or concepts and be mistaken for inspiration. In academic contexts, it can resemble plagiarism even though the author is unaware of the prior source. Awareness and careful citation can mitigate risks, such as keeping records of sources or verifying originality before publication or performance.