Implanting false autobiographical memories for repeated events

Bibliographic Data

ID21602134
AuthorsBruna Calado (0000-0001-6873-5888, Maastricht University, corresponding author), Timothy J Luke (0000-0002-5513-6605, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden), Deborah A Connolly (0000-0002-2276-7646, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada), Sara Landström (0000-0002-4894-2780, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden), Henry Otgaar (0000-0002-2782-2181, Maastricht University)
Year2021
Volume29
Issue10
Pages1320-1341
Publication date2021-11-26
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueMemory (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0965-8211 • E-ISSN: 1464-0686
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09658211.2021.1981944
PMID34570682
OpenAlexW2801946387
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited54

Research to date has exclusively focused on the implantation of false memories for single events. The current experiment is the first proof of concept that false memories can be implanted for repeated autobiographical experiences using an adapted false memory implantation paradigm. We predicted that false memory implantation approaches for repeated events would generate fewer false memories compared to the classic implantation method for single events. We assigned students to one of three implantation conditions in our study: Standard, Repeated, and Gradual. Participants underwent three interview sessions with a 1-week interval between sessions. In the Standard condition, we exposed participants to a single-event implantation method in all three interviews. In the Repeated condition, participants underwent a repeated-event implantation method in the three interviews. The Gradual condition also consisted of a repeated-event implantation method, however, in the first interview alone, we suggested to participants that they had experienced the false narrative once. Surprisingly, within our sample, false memories rates in the Standard condition were not higher compared to the Repeated and Gradual conditions. Although sometimes debated, our results imply that false memories for repeated events can be implanted in lab conditions, likely with the same ease as false memories for single events

Audiology · Autobiographical memory · Cognitive psychology · Developmental psychology · False Memory · Linguistics · Narrative · Recall · Repeated measures design · Statistics · Domain Adaptation and Few-Shot Learning · Medicine · Memory and Neural Mechanisms · Memory Processes and Influences · Psychology

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