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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 7, 2026

Using a Classroom-Based Deese Roediger McDermott Paradigm to Assess the Effects of Imagery on False Memories

Using a Classroom-Based Deese Roediger McDermott Paradigm to Assess the Effects of Imagery on False Memories

Published on: November 14, 2018

Rethinking Knowledge's Impact on the Illusory Truth Effect.

Anat Shechter¹, Karl Christoph Klauer¹

¹Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.

Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin

|December 29, 2025

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The illusory truth effect shows repeated information is more believable, even with prior knowledge. New research suggests knowledge, not just fluency, plays a key role in this effect.

Keywords:

illusory truth knowledge misinformation truth truth judgments

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Last Updated: Jan 7, 2026

Using a Classroom-Based Deese Roediger McDermott Paradigm to Assess the Effects of Imagery on False Memories

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Published on: November 14, 2018

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Methods to Explore the Influence of Top-down Visual Processes on Motor Behavior

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Published on: April 16, 2014

Area of Science:

Cognitive Psychology
Social Psychology

Background:

The illusory truth effect describes how repeated information gains credibility.
A previous model suggested fluency cues dominate over knowledge utilization.
This model explained participant behavior better than one prioritizing knowledge.

Purpose of the Study:

To refine and test models explaining the illusory truth effect.
To investigate the relative roles of knowledge and fluency in belief formation.

Main Methods:

Reanalysis of existing data.
Conducted two new experiments (N = 324) with conditions to differentiate between theoretical models.

Main Results:

Reanalysis showed comparable model performance.
New experimental data provided strong evidence for a model prioritizing knowledge processes over fluency.

Conclusions:

Findings challenge the dominance of fluency cues in the illusory truth effect.
Suggests knowledge processes may have precedence.
Highlights the need for further research to resolve the roles of knowledge and fluency.