Item-specific and relational processing both improve recall accuracy in the DRM paradigm.

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Memory Studies

Background:

• The Deese-Roediger-McDermott (DRM) paradigm is widely used to study false memory formation.
• Previous research indicated item-specific and relational processing enhance correct recognition, but only item-specific processing reduces false recognition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of item-specific versus relational processing on memory performance in free recall using the DRM paradigm.
• To compare recall outcomes with previous recognition findings.

Main Methods:

• Three experiments utilized item-specific and relational encoding tasks (processing instructions, pleasantness ratings, anagram generation).
• Participants' memory was tested using free recall.

Main Results:

• Both item-specific and relational processing improved correct recall.
• Item-specific processing significantly reduced false recall (DRM illusion).
• Relational processing also reduced the DRM illusion, but to a lesser extent than item-specific processing.

Conclusions:

• The findings suggest that encoding task type influences false memory susceptibility differently across recall and recognition tests.
• Relational processing may enhance item familiarity, which is utilized less in free recall, thus reducing false memory compared to recognition.