What term describes the behavior of creating stories to fill memory gaps, as seen in the Korsakoff case?

• A. Confabulation
• B. Delusion
• C. Hallucination
• D. Illusion

Answer: (A)

Confabulation is when someone fills memory gaps with invented details, often believing the stories themselves. In Korsakoff syndrome, severe memory loss, especially for new information, creates gaps in what a person can recall. To make sense of their experience, they unconsciously produce detailed narratives to complete those gaps. The important point is they’re not intentionally lying; the false memories feel real to the person.

This distinguishes confabulation from delusions (a firmly held false belief despite contrary evidence), hallucinations (false sensory experiences), and illusions (misperceptions of real stimuli). Confabulation is a memory distortion tied to amnestic damage, commonly seen in Korsakoff patients.