You are invited to this week’s special talk organized by the Department of Psychology.
Human memory: Is the real you just a myth?
Giuliana Mazzoni, University of Roma La Sapienza; University of Hull
Date: 27.03.2026, Friday
Time: 12:30 PM
Room: A-130
Abstract: Human memory is an extremely efficient system that makes it possible to learn from experience, survive in the world and, importantly, have a sense of self and an identity. In this talk I will present an overview of a number of studies in which with my collaborators we explored the memory systems, focussing mainly on retrieval processes, documenting both the incredible efficiency of memory in individuals who can remember every day of their lives, and the fallacies into which memory can incur. The role of one form of memory (autobiographical) in shaping the self and one’s identity will also be discussed, in the attempt to address the question of whether the ‘real’ self could be after all a myth.
Biography: Giuliana Mazzoni’s research in human memory, autobiographical memory, and their fallacies is internationally known. In 2019 she was invited to join the faculty at the University of Rome La Sapienza (Italy) as full professor with a special governmental law, after a long international career. She is currently Emeritus in Neuroscience/Psychology at the University of Hull (UK) where she was full professor. Previously she held assistant, associate and full professor positions at various international and national universities including Seton Hall University (USA); Plymouth University (UK), University of Florence and University of Calabria (Italy). She completed her studies at the University of Padova (Italy) and University of Washington (USA). Prof. Mazzoni has published more than 250 scientific papers, received numerous grants, she is regularly invited to present her work at international and national conferences, and her research on memory fallacies and Eyewitness testimony has influenced the legal system in Italy and Spanish-speaking countries. She has been featured by many media, including the BBC, the Times, the Washington Post, Channel 4, the Swedish National TV, El Pais, and many others.
We hope to see you there!
Department of Psychology