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Related Experiment Videos

Forward association, backward association, and the false-memory illusion.

C J Brainerd1, Ron Wright

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019-0528, USA. brainerd@arizona.edu

Journal of Experimental Psychology. Learning, Memory, and Cognition
|May 25, 2005
PubMed
Summary

Forward associative strength (FAS) and backward associative strength (BAS) influence false memories. BAS and FAS affect illusion strength, with BAS having a larger impact on memory suppression processes.

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Memory Research
  • False Memory Illusions

Background:

  • The Deese-Roediger-McDermott (DRM) paradigm demonstrates false memory illusions.
  • Forward associative strength (FAS) was previously thought unrelated to DRM illusion strength, which is puzzling.
  • High-FAS lists should share more semantic features with critical unpresented words.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between associative strength and false memory.
  • To determine the independent and interactive effects of FAS and backward associative strength (BAS) on DRM illusion strength.
  • To analyze the influence of FAS and BAS on retrieval processes supporting or suppressing false memories.

Main Methods:

  • Factorial designs independently manipulated FAS and BAS.

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  • Conjoint-recognition analyses were employed to examine retrieval processes.
  • Participants' memory responses were analyzed in relation to associative strengths.

    • Main Results:

    • Both FAS and BAS significantly affected false memory illusion strength.
    • The effects of FAS and BAS were of comparable magnitude and did not interact.
    • Associative strengths had larger and more consistent effects on suppressive retrieval processes.

    Conclusions:

    • The null result of FAS in prior studies was likely due to a truncated range artifact.
    • BAS and FAS play crucial roles in both supporting and suppressing false memories.
    • Evidence suggests individuals sometimes inappropriately use suppression to reject gist-preserving studied items.