cryptomnesia

[ krip-toh-mnee-zhuh ]

noun

1. the phenomenon of not recognizing the return of an old memory as a product of memory, but instead regarding it as a new or original thought or idea:

   Cryptomnesia has misled some writers to embark on new works which are actually unconscious plagiarism or even self-plagiarism.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cryptomnesia¹

First recorded in 1900–05; crypto- ( def ) + Greek mnêsis “memory” + -ia ( def ); amnesia ( def ).

Example Sentences

To different degrees, we have all been guilty of cryptomnesia.

From New York Times

Alan S. Brown and Dana R. Murphy conducted early experiments on cryptomnesia in the late 1980s at Southern Methodist University.

From New York Times

More recent studies have confirmed that cryptomnesia is relatively easy to induce.

From New York Times

In other experiments, Dr. Dow found that novices were more likely to commit accidental plagiarism than experts, and that people were more prone to cryptomnesia when multitasking.

From New York Times

Of course, conscious or not, plagiarism is still plagiarism — and cryptomnesia can get anyone in serious trouble.

From New York Times