DISTINCTIVENESS AND MODALITY EFFECTS ON THE FORMATION OF SHORT-TERM FALSE MEMORIES

Abstract

This experiment focuses on studying how item distinctiveness affects the formation of false memories. Phonologically and semantically related word lists were used to manipulate distinctiveness. In Experiment 1, to-be-remembered lists were presented visually. Phonological lists resulted in greater rates of false recognition compared to semantic lists. Experiment 2 was similar to Experiment 1, but the lists were presented auditorily. Phonological lists also elicited greater rates of false recognition. Further analysis revealed that the phonological and semantic lists exhibit different patterns of false recognition across modalities. Semantic lists elicit more false memories visually whereas phonological lists elicited more false memories auditorily. It is argued that phonological similarities reduced item distinctiveness, resulting in greater rates of false recognition. The observed modality-specific effects are consistent with a framework positing the generation of different memory codes depending on whether words are presented visually or auditorily.