A multiverse analysis of early attempts to replicate memory suppression with the Think/No-think Task

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Memory Research

Background:

• The Think/No-think (TNT) task, introduced by Anderson and Green (2001), demonstrated memory suppression.
• The existing literature on the TNT task primarily features positive findings, with few null results reported.
• This study addresses the need for more comprehensive reporting, including unpublished replications and diverse analytical approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the replicability and robustness of the memory suppression effect observed in the TNT task.
• To explore the impact of different probing methods (Same Probes vs. Independent Probes) on the suppression effect.
• To evaluate the implications of the findings for inhibition theory and the concept of repression as a forgetting mechanism.

Main Methods:

• Conducted unpublished replications of the TNT task (N=49, N=36) and reanalyzed two published studies (N=68, N=80).
• Employed a multiverse analysis approach to explore various data-analysis solutions for the TNT task data.
• Differentiated between recall probed with studied cues (Same Probes, SP) and recall probed with novel cues (Independent Probes, IP).

Main Results:

• Statistically significant memory suppression effects were observed with Same Probes in some or all tests across samples 2, 3, and 4, but not consistently in sample 1.
• Recall probed with Independent Probes predominantly yielded non-significant suppression effects across all samples.
• The findings highlight variability in the suppression effect depending on the probing method and sample characteristics.

Conclusions:

• The inconsistent and predominantly non-significant suppression effects with Independent Probes challenge the core tenets of inhibition theory.
• The results question the viability of repression as a significant mechanism of forgetting, as suggested by inhibition theory.
• The study emphasizes the importance of transparent reporting, including pre-registration, data, and analysis code, to ensure research integrity.