In three experiments, we examined a new memory phenomenon: disputed memorie
s, in which people dispute ownership of a memory. For example, in one dispu
ted memory each of two twins recollected being sent home from school for we
aring too short a skirt, although only one of them was actually sent home.
In Experiment 1, 20 sets of same-sex adult twins were asked to produce a me
mory for each of 45 words, and most twins spontaneously produced at least o
ne disputed memory In Experiment 2, 20 different sets of same-sex adult twi
ns rated disputed memories as higher in recollective experience, imagery, a
nd emotional reliving than nondisputed memories. In Experiment 3, siblings
who were close in age as well as same-sex friends were also found to have d
isputed memories, but less often than twins.