False memory (DRM paradigm)

Biological Parallel

Pattern completion systems use neural-redundancy and feedback-loops to predict missing data. Show a human 'nurse, hospital, medicine' and the brain generates 'doctor' through emergence—even if never presented. Chimpanzees and bonobos demonstrate similar heuristic-analysis: they recognize familiar objects from partial views, filling gaps with probable completions. Bottlenose dolphins using echolocation reconstruct 3D objects from fragmentary acoustic returns. False memories arise from gist extraction: the brain stores thematic patterns and reconstructs details during retrieval, sometimes generating plausible but incorrect specifics. Memory evolved as prediction over recording—trading accuracy for actionable models that fill gaps with likely scenarios.