Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - On the susceptibility of adaptive memory to false memory illusions
AU - Howe, Mark L.
AU - Derbish, Mary H.
PY - 2010/5
Y1 - 2010/5
N2 - Previous research has shown that survival-related processing of word lists enhances retention for that material. However, the claim that survival-related memories are more accurate has only been examined when true recall and recognition of neutral material has been measured. In the current experiments, we examined the adaptive memory superiority effect for different types of processing and material, measuring accuracy more directly by comparing true and false recollection rates. Survival-related information and processing was examined using word lists containing backward associates of neutral, negative, and survival-related critical lures and type of processing (pleasantness, moving, survival) was varied using an incidental memory paradigm. Across four experiments, results showed that survival-related words were more susceptible than negative and neutral words to the false memory illusion and that processing information in terms of its relevance to survival independently increased this susceptibility to the false memory illusion. Overall, although survival-related processing and survival-related information resulted in poorer, not more accurate, memory, such inaccuracies may have adaptive significance. These findings are discussed in the context of false memory research and recent theories concerning the importance of survival processing and the nature of adaptive memory. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
AB - Previous research has shown that survival-related processing of word lists enhances retention for that material. However, the claim that survival-related memories are more accurate has only been examined when true recall and recognition of neutral material has been measured. In the current experiments, we examined the adaptive memory superiority effect for different types of processing and material, measuring accuracy more directly by comparing true and false recollection rates. Survival-related information and processing was examined using word lists containing backward associates of neutral, negative, and survival-related critical lures and type of processing (pleasantness, moving, survival) was varied using an incidental memory paradigm. Across four experiments, results showed that survival-related words were more susceptible than negative and neutral words to the false memory illusion and that processing information in terms of its relevance to survival independently increased this susceptibility to the false memory illusion. Overall, although survival-related processing and survival-related information resulted in poorer, not more accurate, memory, such inaccuracies may have adaptive significance. These findings are discussed in the context of false memory research and recent theories concerning the importance of survival processing and the nature of adaptive memory. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
KW - False memory
KW - Associative memory
KW - Encoding processes
KW - Adaptive memory
KW - Survival memory
KW - SPREADING ACTIVATION THEORY
KW - RECALL
KW - RECOGNITION
KW - INFORMATION
KW - ADVANTAGE
KW - RETENTION
KW - CHILDRENS
KW - STRENGTH
KW - WORDS
U2 - 10.1016/j.cognition.2009.12.016
DO - 10.1016/j.cognition.2009.12.016
M3 - Journal article
VL - 115
SP - 252
EP - 267
JO - Cognition
JF - Cognition
SN - 0010-0277
IS - 2
ER -