An exploration of Italian laypeople’s belief in how human memory works
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21602176 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Mara Stockner (0000-0002-2692-3458, University of Rome), Gianmarco Convertino (0000-0002-8612-9854, University of Rome), Jessica Talbot (0000-0003-2301-5910, University of Rome, corresponding author), Michela Marchetti (0000-0002-4746-1053, University of Rome), Danilo Mitaritonna (0000-0003-4567-6461, University of Rome), Marta Vicario (University of Rome), Giuliana Mazzoni (0000-0002-6377-0139, University of Rome) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 32 |
| Issue | 9 |
| Pages | 1129-1145 |
| Publication date | 2024-10-20 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Memory (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0965-8211 • E-ISSN: 1464-0686 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/09658211.2024.2387093 |
| PMID | 39116041 |
| OpenAlex | W4401417861 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 80 |
We present the first study to measure the beliefs held by Italian laypeople about how human memory works, using a newly developed tool: the Italian Memory Belief Questionnaire (IMBQ). Research conducted in other countries has demonstrated that beliefs about memory vary widely between different professional and non-professional groups, indicating that limitations exist regarding the dissemination of empirically researched scientific knowledge. To ascertain what Italian people understand about memory-related topics, including eyewitness testimony, repression of traumatic memories and factors influencing memory recall, 301 native Italian participants completed the IMBQ in Study 1. In Study 2, 346 additional participants completed the IMBQ, alongside various additional measures, to examine the construct validity of our new instrument and investigate socio-demographic predictors of memory beliefs. Exploratory factor analysis in Study 1 identified three distinct belief factors that were present in the dataset: eyewitness and memory reliability, trauma and remembering and aspects that improve remembering. Study 2 partially confirmed this factor structure and found IMBQ scores to correlate with existing memory belief questionnaires. Correlations were also found between the IMBQ subscales and measures of fantasy proneness, but not dissociation. In both studies, many Italian laypeople strongly endorsed the notion that controversial topics (i.e., repression) are possible. Contrastingly, Italian laypeople do appear to understand the conceivable inaccuracies of memory in eyewitness settings. Sex, age and education were shown to predict beliefs about memory. Findings are discussed in relation to the importance of addressing misinformation about memory, especially in clinical and forensic settings
Childhood memory · Cognition · Cognitive psychology · Developmental psychology · Eyewitness memory · Memory errors · Misinformation · Recall · Reconstructive memory · Semantic memory · Identity, Memory, and Therapy · Memory Processes and Influences · Misinformation and Its Impacts · Psychology · Social Psychology
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| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |