cryptomnesia: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Academic
Quick answer
What does “cryptomnesia” mean?
A psychological phenomenon where a person mistakenly believes a new thought, idea, or memory is original, when in fact it is a forgotten or subconscious recollection of something previously encountered.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A psychological phenomenon where a person mistakenly believes a new thought, idea, or memory is original, when in fact it is a forgotten or subconscious recollection of something previously encountered.
This term is also used more broadly in discussions of creativity and plagiarism to describe the unconscious incorporation of external material into one's own work without proper attribution.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage differences. The term is identical across both varieties.
Connotations
Clinical, technical, and sometimes accusatory (e.g., in cases of suspected unconscious plagiarism).
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language. Used almost exclusively in academic psychology, literary criticism, and discussions of intellectual property. No notable frequency difference between UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “cryptomnesia” in a Sentence
[subject] experienced cryptomnesia[subject] was a result of cryptomnesia[subject] attributed to cryptomnesiaVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cryptomnesia” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The author may have cryptomnesiated the plot from a childhood story.
- She wasn't plagiarising; she cryptomnesised the melody.
American English
- The composer may have cryptomnesiated the theme from a forgotten piece.
- He cryptomnesized the concept from an old lecture.
adverb
British English
- The idea was generated cryptomnesically, without conscious awareness of the source.
American English
- He reproduced the passage cryptomnesically, believing it was his own.
adjective
British English
- The cryptomnesic nature of the similarity was noted by the psychologist.
- It was a cryptomnesic episode, not intentional theft.
American English
- The researcher identified a cryptomnesic element in the artist's work.
- He offered a cryptomnesic explanation for the coincidence.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. May appear in discussions of intellectual property disputes where unconscious copying is argued.
Academic
Primary context. Used in psychology papers, studies on memory and creativity, and literary analysis.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Would be explained if mentioned.
Technical
Core context in clinical psychology, psychiatry, and cognitive science.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cryptomnesia”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cryptomnesia”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cryptomnesia”
- Using it as a synonym for 'amnesia' (it's the opposite – a memory returns).
- Pronouncing the 'p' as silent (it is pronounced).
- Confusing it with 'cryptocurrency' due to the 'crypto-' prefix.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not classified as a mental illness or disorder. It is a common memory phenomenon that can happen to anyone.
Plagiarism is the deliberate act of stealing and presenting someone else's work as your own. Cryptomnesia is an unconscious, non-deliberate process where the person genuinely believes the idea is original.
It is very difficult to prove definitively, as it deals with internal, unconscious processes. It is often inferred from strong similarities coupled with evidence of prior exposure and a lack of motive for deliberate theft.
Some high-profile copyright disputes in music and literature have invoked cryptomnesia as a defence, suggesting similarities between works arose from the creator's forgotten memory of the original source.
A psychological phenomenon where a person mistakenly believes a new thought, idea, or memory is original, when in fact it is a forgotten or subconscious recollection of something previously encountered.
Cryptomnesia is usually technical/academic in register.
Cryptomnesia: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkrɪptə(ʊ)mˈniːzɪə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkrɪptoʊmˈniːʒə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It was cryptomnesia, not theft.”
- “A classic case of cryptomnesia.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CRYPTO (hidden) + MNESIA (memory) = a hidden memory that surfaces as a 'new' idea.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEMORY IS A STORAGE ROOM (where some items are misplaced and later found but not recognized as one's own).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate description of cryptomnesia?