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Negotiating false memories: interviewer and rememberer characteristics relate to memory distortion
S Porter1, A R Birt, J C Yuille
1Department of Psychology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada B3H 4J1. sbporter@is.dal.ca
Psychological Science
|February 24, 2001
Summary
False memories for emotional events can be created in over half of people. Memory distortion susceptibility is linked to dissociative tendencies and specific interviewer-participant personality traits, suggesting social negotiation plays a role.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Cognitive Science
- Social Psychology
Background:
- False memories can be implanted in individuals, even for emotional childhood events.
- Understanding factors influencing memory distortion is crucial for accurate recall and legal contexts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between memory distortion and individual differences in rememberers (dissociation, personality).
- To examine how interviewer characteristics (personality) interact with rememberer characteristics in susceptibility to memory distortion.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a subsample from a prior study on false memory implantation.
- Assessed participants' dissociative tendencies using the Dissociative Experiences Scale.
- Evaluated personality traits using the NEO-Five Factor Inventory.
- Correlated these measures with the occurrence of memory distortion.
Main Results:
- Participants who exhibited memory distortion scored significantly higher on the dissociative scale.
- Susceptibility to memory distortion was associated with higher interviewer extraversion.
- Susceptibility to memory distortion was associated with lower participant extraversion.
Conclusions:
- Dissociative tendencies are linked to a greater susceptibility to memory distortion.
- A specific interaction between interviewer and participant extraversion influences false memory formation.
- False memory development may stem from a social negotiation process between interviewers and rememberers.