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Speaking order predicts memory conformity after accounting for exposure to misinformation
Lauren Y Hewitt1, Robert Kane, Maryanne Garry
1Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. lauren.hewitt@curtin.edu.au
Psychonomic Bulletin & Review
|February 7, 2013
Summary
Speaking first in discussions may reduce memory conformity, where people falsely recall seeing things they only heard about. This study found speaking order is associated with memory conformity, with early speakers being misled less often.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Memory Research
Background:
- Memory conformity describes how discussions can lead individuals to falsely recall events.
- The influence of speaking order on memory conformity is not well understood.
- Previous research has not definitively established a link between speaking order and memory conformity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between speaking order and memory conformity.
- To determine if the order in which individuals participate in discussions affects their susceptibility to memory conformity.
- To analyze existing data from memory conformity experiments to explore this relationship.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from five prior memory conformity experiments.
- Exploratory statistical analyses to examine the relationship between speaking order and memory conformity.
- Controlling for potential confounding factors, such as opportunities to be misled.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests an association between speaking order and memory conformity.
- Individuals who spoke first in discussions were less likely to experience memory conformity.
- The observed association was not attributable to differing opportunities for individuals to be misled.
Conclusions:
- Speaking order appears to be a factor associated with memory conformity.
- Early participation in discussions may offer some protection against memory conformity.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the cognitive and social mechanisms underlying this association.
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