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The Deese-Roediger-McDermott DRM Task: A Simple Cognitive Paradigm to Investigate False Memories in the Laboratory
Published on: January 31, 2017
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Examining theories of cognitive ageing using the false memory paradigm
Charlotte Askey1, David Playfoot1
1Department of Psychology, Sociology and Politics, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK.
Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology (2006)
|March 16, 2017
Summary
Older adults experience more false memories than younger adults, especially with longer word lists. Findings support the Inhibitory Deficit Hypothesis in cognitive aging.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience of Aging
- Human Memory
Background:
- Cognitive aging is characterized by changes in memory performance, even without neurological impairment.
- The underlying mechanisms of cognitive aging remain under investigation and are subject to theoretical debate.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare false memory susceptibility between young and older adults.
- To test predictions derived from the Inhibitory Deficit Hypothesis and the Transmission Deficit Hypothesis of cognitive aging.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Deese-Roediger-McDermott (DRM) false memory paradigm.
- Compared memory performance in young (18-25 years) and older (60+ years) adult groups.
- Manipulated the length of word lists presented during the memory task.
Main Results:
- Increased list length significantly elevated the probability of false memory (lure retrieval).
- Older adults demonstrated a greater susceptibility to false memories compared to younger adults.
- The observed pattern of results aligns with predictions of the Inhibitory Deficit Hypothesis.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest that older adults are more prone to memory errors, particularly with increased information load.
- The results provide evidence supporting the Inhibitory Deficit Hypothesis as an explanation for cognitive aging.
- The data present challenges for the Transmission Deficit Hypothesis in explaining age-related false memory effects.
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