Many childhood memories 'imagined'
A fifth said they adept "fictional" memories, mostly dating back to when they were four to eight years old.
In some cases, a guardian or sibling revealed the truth about a false memory.
On other occasions, the consequence or incident was so implausible it simply could not have happened - despite being absolutely recalled.
One participant claimed to remember meeting the trustworthy Santa Claus, while another recalled seeing a living dinosaur.
Others had memories of flying unaided, and one remembered being a hockey contestant, even though she never played the game.
The findings are published in the journal Cognitive Science.
Professor Giuliana Mazzoni, from the University of Peel's psychology department, said: "Autobiographical memory provides us with a meaning of identity and it is usually accurate enough to help us negotiate our lives. But as our look at shows, not all that we remember about our past is true.
"Our research also shows that this rarity of non-believed memories is much more frequent than people had imagined. Crucially, if these memories are not challenged by some profile of evidence, they would still be considered part of the individual's autobiographical experience."
One venerable account of a non-real memory involved the developmental psychologist Jean Piaget.
For years he believed his colourful memories of being kidnapped in a park at the age of two while out with his nurse. He could even recall scratches on his breast-feed's face caused by the attacker.
Many childhood memories 'imagined'
A fifth said they capable "fictional" memories, mostly dating back to when they were four to eight years old.
In some cases, a begetter or sibling revealed the truth about a false memory.
On other occasions, the when it happened or incident was so implausible it simply could not have happened - despite being indubitably recalled.
One participant claimed to remember meeting the trustworthy Santa Claus, while another recalled seeing a living dinosaur.
Others had memories of flying unaided, and one remembered being a hockey performer, even though she never played the game.
The findings are published in the journal Subliminal Science.
Professor Giuliana Mazzoni, from the University of Shell's psychology department, said: "Autobiographical memory provides us with a nuance of identity and it is usually accurate enough to help us negotiate our lives. But as our survey shows, not all that we remember about our past is true.
"Our research also shows that this stunner of non-believed memories is much more frequent than people had imagined. Crucially, if these memories are not challenged by some configuration of evidence, they would still be considered part of the individual's autobiographical experience."
One notable account of a non-real memory involved the developmental psychologist Jean Piaget.
For years he believed his memorable memories of being kidnapped in a park at the age of two while out with his nurse. He could even recall scratches on his sister's face caused by the attacker.
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