[Influence of activation of specific information on source monitoring]

This study examined the influence on source monitoring of activating specific information. In Experiment 1, the order of the source of the information was manipulated. The results showed that when an item was strongly linked to a correct source, source monitoring of the item was accurate. On the other hand, in Experiments 2 and 3, activation of a specific item was manipulated. The results showed that when an item was activated in an unrelated context of an event which participants saw, it did not influence the source monitoring. But when an item was activated in a related context, it influenced the source monitoring. In addition, the results showed that the influence on source monitoring was different depending on the kind of activated item. These experiments suggested that the accessibility or activation influenced the source monitoring, and especially the accessibility of source information was important for accurate source monitoring.