Persuasion at time of retrieval: Differential influence of strong versus weak support for claims of false memories

Jason T Reed, Purdue University

Abstract

The current research examines the effect of the content of memory reports on false memory judgments. Previous research on false memories has suggested that the mere claim from another person is enough to influence a target into reporting a false memory. The current research uses persuasion theory to suggest that the quality of the information that accompanies the memory claim influences the target's reporting of false memories. This dissertation includes 5 studies using a procedure based on the Deese-Roediger-McDermott (DRM) paradigm. The main goal of the studies is to examine how people use information in memory reports when making false memory judgments. Studies 1 and 2 provide evidence that false memories are more likely when memory claims are supported by strong rather than weak supporting information and that these results are not due to semantic priming or conformity. Study 3 replicates the findings of Studies 1 and 2 while demonstrating that the pattern of results depends on the supporting information being presented as support for a persuasive claim instead of simply being activated at the time of retrieval. Thus, Studies 1--3 provide strong support for persuasion effects on false memory. Studies 4 and 5 examine participants' interpretations of supporting information under experimentally manipulated ability to process information. In Study 4, support strength again influences false memories, but does so across levels of cognitive load. In Study 5 source expertise has a marginal effect on false memories. However, the effects of source expertise and support strength do not differ by level of cognitive load. Thus, Studies 4 and 5 offer no consistent evidence as yet regarding whether the effects of support strength should be considered as due to support acting as arguments to support the claim or as information about the expertise or credibility of the source making the claim. In either case, the content of the support for the claim is influencing false memories. Future research may require some changes in methods to definitively answer such questions. Implications are discussed for effects of social influence on false memory within and beyond the DRM paradigm.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Wegener, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Social psychology|Cognitive therapy

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