THE PERSISTENCE OF FALSE MEMORIES IN LIST RECALL

Roediger and McDermott (1995) recently re-introduced a paradigm to stu dy the creation of false memories. Subjects hear short lists of relate d words (e.g., thread, pin, eye, sewing, etc.), all of which are assoc iates of a critical nonpresented word (e.g., needle); on a free recall test given immediately after list presentation, subjects often errone ously recall the critical nonpresented word. The experiments reported here explore (a) the effect of test delay on false recall and (b) whet her multiple study/test opportunities reduce the proportion of critica l items erroneously recalled. In Experiment 1, introduction of a 2-day delay between study and test produced probabilities of false recall t hat exceeded those of veridical recall. In addition, prior testing of the list enhanced false recall, much like testing enhances later recal l of studied items (the testing effect). In Experiment 2, an attempt w as made to reduce or eliminate the false recall effect by using a mult itrial study/test procedure. Although subjects were able to reduce the proportion of critical nonpresented words erroneously recalled, they were unable to eliminate the false recall effect, even after 5 study-t est trials. An interaction occurred between accurate and false recall as a function of retention interval: after a one-day delay, false reca ll levels rose, whereas accurate recall decreased. Results of both exp eriments demonstrate the persistence of this memory illusion. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.