The effect of divided attention on false memory depends on how memory is tested.

Dewhurst, Stephen A. and Barry, Christopher and Swannell, Ellen R. and Holmes, Selina J. and Bathurst, Gemma J. (2007) The effect of divided attention on false memory depends on how memory is tested. Memory and Cognition, 35 (4). pp. 660-667. ISSN 0090-502X

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Abstract

In three experiments, we investigated the effects of divided attention on false memory, using the Deese/Roediger-McDermott (DRM) paradigm. In Experiments 1 and 2, participants studied six DRM lists with full attention and six in one of two divided-attention conditions (random number generation or digit monitoring). Both divided-attention conditions increased false recall of related words (Experiment 1) but reduced false recognition (Experiment 2). These results were confirmed in Experiment 3, in which the type of secondary task was manipulated within groups. We argue that the increase in false recall with divided attention reflects a change in participants' response criterion, whereas the decrease in false recognition occurs because the secondary tasks prevent participants from generating associates of the words presented at study.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Memory and Cognition
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/researchoutput/libraryofcongress/bf
Subjects:
?? NEUROPSYCHOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGYEXPERIMENTAL AND COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGYBF PSYCHOLOGY ??
ID Code:
855
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
22 Jan 2008 09:46
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
17 Sep 2023 00:45