Sociology 4, Week 5: Reflection on Jemma's Deja Vu Discussion Post

This assignment is a reflection on a sociology discussion post concerning the phenomenon of Deja Vu, analyzing the discussion's relevance and the application of memory theories. The student begins by agreeing with the discussion post's emphasis on the dual-process theory, which explains Deja Vu through familiarity and recollection, supported by research indicating that memory interpretations can lead to false recall. The reflection also touches on the information-processing theory, highlighting how the strength of a memory depends on its recall frequency, and the role of memory in storage and retrieval. Furthermore, it validates the discussion's point about the age-related decline in Deja Vu experiences. The student concludes by acknowledging that the discussion is rich in accurate information, and that the neurological explanations of Deja Vu are well-supported by current research. The student references multiple sources throughout the reflection, including Brown (2003), Learning Theories (2020), and others, to support their points and provide a comprehensive analysis of the discussion post.

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Sociology
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Sociology 2
Reflection on Jemma’s discussion post.
I believe Jemma’s discussion on Déjà vu’ is relevant since in the discussion, she
highlights various crucial points that seem important and practical. Beginning with the first
theory, the dual-process theory, Jemma highlights that recognition is based on familiarity and
recollection. Brown (2003) further supports the idea by indicating that memory interpretations
may assume a particular setting to be familiar but not easily recallable. Personally, I have
encountered such an experience. For instance, when I read a book maybe for the first time and
encounter some information that seems familiar, I usually have the Déjà vu’ feeling without
recalling the specific book I had seen the information from. However, I believe such feelings
may not be accurate at times.
Besides, according to Jemma’s research, relying on memory to fill in the blanks may
result in a false recall. I agree with this since memories may at times, not be exact replicas of
reality but rather reconstructed and modified during a recall. This is because memories are
susceptible to manipulation due to the presence of false information (Lumenlearning.com, 2020).
Also, when some parts of our memory or vision are blocked, the brain will always try as much as
it can to fill in the blanks.
On the second theory, information-processing theory, Jemma highlights that the strength
of a memory is dependent on how quickly and often it can be recalled. I conquer with this idea
since according to Learning Theories (2020), the general idea behind information processing
theory is that the human mind is more of an information processor or computer. This explains
why most people experience Déjà vu’ as well as false memories. In this theory, I think Jemma
should also have highlighted the point that relates to the storage and transfer of information so as

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to bring more clarity. For instance, according to theory, information is easily retrieved from a
memory depending on whether the information is accessed in the same way it was stored.
Jemma also highlights how Déjà vu’ may decrease with age more clearly and accurately.
For instance, according to Hamer (2017), young individuals aged between 15 and 25 experience
Déjà vu’ more than older people. Various studies also show that about 70 to 80 percent of people
who experience Déjà vu’ are either in their twenties or teens, and as they get older, the
percentage drops to 50 or 60. Besides, according to (Mitchell & Johnson, 2000), the Source
Monitoring Process states that when memory representations are activated, a variety of details
may be recreated; however, they are affected by memory skills and bias.
In conclusion, considering the aspect of Déjà vu, Jemma gives the notion that the theories
of memory are commonly supported by researchers; however, according to current research, the
element of Déjà vu’ is supported through neurological explanations. This is true since according
to Chauvel (2017), Déjà vu’ may be associated with a neurological problems often reported by
patients exhibiting temporal lobe epilepsy. The entire discussion is rich in accurate and reliable
information, and therefore, I believe Jemma handled the discussion appropriately.

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References
Brown, A. S. (2003). A review of the deja vu experience. Psychological bulletin, 129(3), 394-
413. Retrieved from http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?
doi=10.1.1.1016.2601&rep=rep1&type=pdf
Chauvel, P. (2017). Deja Vu: What It Is, When It May Be Cause for Concern. Retrieved 7
February 2020, from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/deja-vu-what-it-is-and-when-it-
may-be-cause-for-concern/
Hamer, A. (2017). Why do young people experience more Déjà vu’? Retrieved 7 February
2020, from https://curiosity.com/topics/young-people-experience-more-deja-vu-and-that-
says-important-things-about-the-brain-curiosity/
Learning Theories. (2020). Information Processing Theory. Retrieved 7 February 2020, from
https://www.learning-theories.com/information-processing-theory.html
Lumenlearning.com. (2020). Memory Distortions | Boundless Psychology. Retrieved 7 February
2020, from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-psychology/chapter/memory-
distortions/
Mitchell, K. J., & Johnson, M. K. (2000). Source monitoring: Attributing mental
experiences. The Oxford handbook of memory, 179-195. Retrieved from https://memlab-
yale-edu.liverpool.idm.oclc.org/sites/default/files/files/
2000_Mitchell_Johnson_SourceMonitoring.pdf