False-memory construction : the effect of memory confidence
- UNCW Author/Contributor (non-UNCW co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Christiane N. Schneider (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW )
- Web Site: http://library.uncw.edu/
- Advisor
- Lisa Jenkins
Abstract: According to Roediger and McDermott (1995), a false memory is a memory of an
event that never occurred. A large body of research has explored the false memory effect
and the factors that influence false memory production. The purpose of the present study
was twofold. The first aim was to examine the extent to which a participant’s confidence
in their overall memory ability influences the production of false memories. The second
aim was to explore the extent to which fluctuations in memory confidence potentially
influence fluctuations in the false memory phenomenon. To these aims, participants were
randomly assigned to one of three groups: high-confidence group, low-confidence group,
or neutral group. Participants received positive, negative, or neutral feedback about their
memory performance on three different memory tests in an attempt to experimentally
manipulate participants’ confidence in their memory. Using the Roediger and
McDermott (1995) paradigm, participants were administered a total of 32 word lists and
were administered a recall test after each list was presented. Each list contained 15 words
associated with one non-presented word (critical lure). After all 32 lists were presented,
participants completed a recognition test in which they were asked to identify the words
presented on each list and to make remember, know, and guess judgments (Tulving,
1985). The analysis on the recall and the recognition test revealed a false memory effect:
studied items were recalled and recognized at a higher rate than critical lures which in
turn were recalled and recognized at a higher rate than non-critical intrusions or new
words. No significant differences between the three memory manipulation conditions
were observed, indicating that the memory manipulation did not affect false memory
production.
False-memory construction : the effect of memory confidence
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Created on 1/1/2009
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Thesis
- A Thesis Submitted to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirement for the Degree of Masters of Arts
- Language: English
- Date: 2009
- Keywords
- False memory syndrome
- Subjects
- False memory syndrome