Memories

Abstract

The fallibility of memory has important implications for various disciplinary fields, as well as societal interests. Research on false memory abounds in terms of the ability of researchers to implant memories for plausible and highly implausible negative events. The extant literature does not currently answer the question of whether memories for positive events can be implanted. Moreover, previous research has attempted, with mixed success, to discriminate between true and false memories employing different objective and subjective measures. Currently, there is still no conclusive way to distinguish between true and false memories. The present study expanded upon the current deficits in the research literature by inducing both positive and negative false memory events in participants. Physiological measures (i.e., skin conductance, heart rate, electromyography, and pulse plethysmography) were employed in an effort to discriminate between participants’ true and false memories. Results indicated that positive and negative events can be implanted at an impressively high rate and with a very simple manipulation. False memories were found to exhibit a greater arousal pattern than true memories and, specifically with electromyography, positive false memories elicited greater arousal patterns than positive true memories.