Attenuated boundary extension in observer perspective memory compared to field perspective memory

Boundary extension (BE) is commonly recognized as a false memory phenomenon, characterized by individuals recalling having seen beyond the physical confines of a previously presented scene (Intraub & Richardson, 1989). This study delves into the extent of BE as participants recollect their memories from different perspectives: observer perspective memory (OPM), where individuals envision themselves within the recalled scene from an external standpoint, and field perspective memory (FPM), involving perceiving the remembered scene from the original viewpoint of the subject (McCarroll, 2018). Our results reveal the presence of BE in OPM, albeit to a lesser degree compared with FPM. Additionally, heightened cognitive demands and increased viewing distances diminish the degree of BE. These findings suggest that BE is jointly shaped by mnemonic perspective and contextual constraints, and highlight a distinct divergence in the representations of spatial boundaries between OPM and FPM.