The role of memory strength and task orientation in memory conformity

Memory conformity occurs when one's memory reports are influenced by the memories of others. These experiments tested whether the conformity effect would be moderated by memory strength and task orientation. In Experiments 1 and 3 we manipulated levels of processing to test whether conformity effects are greater when memory is poor relative to when it is good. In Experiment 2 we tested the role of participants' orientation to the test, as either a test-taker or a grader, as well as the effects of levels of processing. Conformity effects were found in all experiments, but were not eliminated when memory was strong. Conformity was influenced by the participant's task orientation, with a smaller effect for graders than test-takers. These data indicate that strong memory will not always buffer the conformity effect, but a relatively simple role change can moderate the effect.