Putting false memories into context: the effects of odour contexts on correct and false recall

Joshua A Woods,Stephen A Dewhurst

doi:10.1080/09658211.2018.1512632

Abstract

ABSTRACTFalse memories created by the Deese/Roediger-McDermott (DRM) paradigm are often accompanied by contextual information. Yet, research investigating the effects of context on false memories is surprisingly scarce. We used the context-dependent memory (CDM) model to construct same versus different context conditions using odours as contexts and DRM lists as to-be-remembered stimuli. Experiment 1 showed that levels of correct recall were higher in the same-context condition than in the changed-context condition, but no effects of context were observed in false recall. Experiment 2 used different odours and a longer retention interval and showed that context-dependent memory effects were found for both true and false memory. For true memory, context reinstatement improved memory, whilst simultaneously reducing false memory. Theoretical and forensic implications of these findings are discussed.

Highlights

False memories created by the Deese/Roediger-McDermott (DRM) paradigm are often accompanied by contextual information
We used the context-dependent memory (CDM) model to construct same versus different context conditions using odours as contexts and DRM lists as tobe-remembered stimuli
Experiment 1 showed that levels of correct recall were higher in the same-context condition than in the changed-context condition, but no effects of context were observed in false recall

Summary

Introduction

False memories created by the Deese/Roediger-McDermott (DRM) paradigm are often accompanied by contextual information. Context and false memory effects to errors of source monitoring whereby features of studied items are reactivated at test and misattributed to the critical lures. One possible outcome is that reinstating the study context at test will facilitate the retrieval of contextual details for both studied and nonstudied items, thereby increasing both correct and false recall.

Results

Conclusion