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Using a Classroom-Based Deese Roediger McDermott Paradigm to Assess the Effects of Imagery on False Memories
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One-shot illusory correlations and stereotype formation.

Jane L Risen1, Thomas Gilovich, David Dunning

  • 1Cornell University, USA. jane.risen@chicagogsb.edu

Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin
|October 16, 2007
PubMed
Summary

A single instance of unusual behavior by a rare group member can create a lasting illusory correlation. This cognitive bias occurs because unusual pairings prompt people to explain the behavior by group membership.

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Social Psychology
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Illusory correlations often arise from distinctive events.
  • Previous research focused on repeated instances, not single occurrences.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the formation of one-shot illusory correlations.
  • To understand the cognitive mechanisms behind this phenomenon.

Main Methods:

  • Four studies were conducted.
  • Behavioral and implicit association measures were used.
  • Processing time, attributional thinking, and memory recall were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • A single unusual behavior by a rare group member created a strong association.
  • These behaviors received enhanced cognitive processing and were more memorable.
  • Implicit measures confirmed generalization of the association to the group.

Conclusions:

  • One-shot illusory correlations form due to the unique cognitive processing of unusual group-behavior pairings.
  • Group membership is readily considered as an explanation for distinctive behaviors.