Forced-Choice False Recognition Controlling for Response Bias Correlates With Dissociative Amnesia Controlling for Imagery, but Not With Image Vividness Controlling for Dissociation

Abstract

In the present study of false memory, subjects completed the Prevalence of Visual Imagery Test (PVIT), the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire (VVIQ), and the Curious Experiences Survey (CES); then, after generating visual images, viewing categorically related pictures, and viewing categorically related words, subjects completed forced-choice source recognition tests for whether they had “imaged” the word, the picture, or the image in a given category. Scoring higher on the CES Dissociative Amnesia/Fugue factor—controlling for the VVIQ and the PVIT—was associated both with poorer memory of the imaged source of visual images and with false memory of an imaged source for pictures. In contrast, greater image vividness on the VVIQ—controlling for CES factors—was not statistically associated with memory of an imaged source for images, pictures, or words. Greater image prevalence on the PVIT—controlling for CES factors—was associated with better memory of the imaged source of visual images and with less false memory of an imaged source for words.