Accuracy Of Recollections Research Articles

Drawing compared to writing in a diary enhances recall of autobiographical memories

ABSTRACT Drawing at encoding has been shown to improve later recall of to-be-remembered words, pictures, and academic terms, compared to when one simply writes out the target information. Here we examined whether drawing in a diary, compared to writing in it, differentially improved later memorability of personal autobiographical events, and whether aging influenced the magnitude of this effect. Thirty younger and thirty older adults were given a diary booklet, and instructed to use it to reminisce about a random daily event of their choosing, on 12 days within a two-week period. They recorded the event on each day in one of two ways, counterbalanced within-subject: by writing about or by drawing a picture of the event. Participants also generated a keyword descriptor for each event. After the two-week period, participants were cued using their keyword descriptors to recall each autobiographical memory by writing it down. Self-reported match accuracy, between reminisced and recalled events was tabulated. Across age groups, match accuracy was significantly higher for those drawn than written during the reminiscing phase. In addition, we compared the word count, level of detail, visual imagery, and point of view of the recalled memories. Self-reports of the level of detail in the recalled memory were better maintained for events drawn compared to written during the reminiscing stage, and better maintained in older than younger adults. Our findings suggest the use of drawing, while reminiscing within a diary format, enhances accuracy and quality of later recollections.

Poor metacognitive awareness of belief change.

When people change beliefs as a result of reading a text, are they aware of these changes? This question was examined for beliefs about spanking as an effective means of discipline. In two experiments, subjects reported beliefs about spanking effectiveness during a prescreening session. In a subsequent experimental session, subjects read a one-sided text that advocated a belief consistent or inconsistent position on the topic. After reading, subjects reported their current beliefs and attempted to recollect their initial beliefs. Subjects reading a belief inconsistent text were more likely to change their beliefs than those who read a belief consistent text. Recollections of initial beliefs tended to be biased in the direction of subjects' current beliefs. In addition, the relationship between the belief consistency of the text read and accuracy of belief recollections was mediated by belief change. This belief memory bias was independent of on-line text processing and comprehension measures, and indicates poor metacognitive awareness of belief change.

Metamemory appraisals in autobiographical event recall

Two studies examined whether belief in the occurrence of events, recollecting events, and belief in the accuracy of recollections are distinct aspects of autobiographical remembering. In Study 1, 299 student participants received a cue to recall five childhood events, after which they rated each event on these constructs and other characteristics associated with remembering. Structural equation modelling revealed that variance in ratings was best explained by the three anticipated latent variables. In Study 2, an online sample of 1026 adults recalled and rated a childhood event and an event about which they were somehow uncertain. Confirmatory modelling replicated the three latent variables. The relationship of key predictors (perceptual detail, spatial detail, re-experiencing, and event plausibility) to the latent variables confirmed the distinction. These studies demonstrate that belief in occurrence and belief in accuracy appraisals are distinct, the former indexing the truth status of the event and the latter the degree to which the event representation accurately reflects prior experience. Further, they suggest that belief in accuracy indexes the monitoring of the quality of recollections.

Abstract 236: A Multi Center Study of Awareness During Resuscitation

Awareness during anesthesia is characterized by auditory perceptions, pain, and dream like states and associated with PTSD. Few studies have examined awareness during cardiac arrest. Although, these two phenomena share similarities, there are also differences. In particular during CA, patients may report visual perceptions (‘seeing’ and recalling events). Furthermore, some experiences are associated with the scientifically imprecise entity of ‘near death experiences’ (NDE). Methods: A prospective cohort study at 25 hospitals in the US, UK and Austria to determine the incidence of awareness (i.e. visual or auditory) during CA as well as the characteristics of patients’ recollections was conducted. We further examined the feasibility of testing the accuracy of visual and auditory recollections using standardized tests by pre-installing shelves containing images as well as instructing research staff to provide set auditory cues during CPR where possible. Survivors underwent a structured interview which included questions on visual and auditory impressions as well as the Greyson questionnaire to quantify experiences typically classified as NDE (score >=7) Results: 2060 cardiac arrest events were recorded with a reported survival of 32% (n=657). 23% (n=152) were interviewed. Information on visual or auditory impressions during CA was available on 89% of interviewed subjects. Of these, 37 % responded that they had experienced visual and/or auditory impressions during their time of unconsciousness and CA. Among those with auditory and/or visual impressions, 70% had a Greyson score >0 and 30% had a Greyson score >=7, consistent with a conventionally defined “NDE”. Two had visual recollections of being able to ‘see’ events, and one accurately described details corresponding with a verifiable period of at least 3-5 minutes of CA. Placement of images corresponded with only 33% of all CA locations. The two patients did not have CA in areas with images. Conclusions: Auditory and/or visual experiences during unconsciousness may be a relatively common phenomenon. Even though these experiences may not reflect the conventionally defined NDE and may be different, they may indicate that consciousness may not cease as expected with cessation of heartbeat during CA

Mood effects on eyewitness memory: Affective influences on susceptibility to misinformation

Does mood influence the accuracy of eyewitness recollections, and people’s susceptibility to misleading information in particular? Based on recent affect-cognition theories and research on eyewitness memory, three experiments predicted and found that positive affect promoted, and negative affect inhibited the incorporation of misleading information into eyewitness memories. This effect was obtained for both positive and negative events (Experiment 1), and for recorded as well as real-life incidents (Experiment 2). Participants had no meta-cognitive awareness of these mood effects, and affect-control instructions were ineffective in preventing them (Experiment 3). The cognitive mechanisms responsible for mood effects on eyewitness memories are discussed, and the implications of these findings for everyday memories, forensic practice and for current affect/cognition theorizing are considered.

Suppressing unwanted memories: where there is a will, there is a way?

Research suggests that suppressing unwanted thoughts, generally, is an ineffective thought control strategy, because suppression attempts oftentimes fail, and, furthermore, result in a paradoxical increase of unwanted thoughts, later on. The present study sought to investigate whether manipulated expectations about suppression efficacy determine actual effects of suppression attempts. To test this hypothesis, participants listened to an audiotaped story, and were subsequently appointed to one of four conditions: a no-instruction-control ( n = 20), suppression ( n = 20), suppression-works ( n = 20; participants were told that suppression generally is a fruitful strategy), or suppression-does-not-work ( n = 25; participants were told that suppression primarily has paradoxical effects) condition. Two hours later, participants’ memories of the story were tested, and several metamemory questions were answered. Induced expectations actually determined the perceived efficacy of suppression attempts, as well as thought frequency, although perceived or actual accuracy of recollections was not affected by the instructions.

The seroepidemiology of primary varicella-zoster virus infection in Flanders (Belgium).

The age-specific seroprevalence of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) antibodies was assessed in a sample of the Flemish (Belgian) population. ELISA tests were used to analyse 1673 sera from subjects aged 1 to 44 years (October 1999-April 2000). Chickenpox infections in Flanders appear to affect children at a younger age than in other European countries since 47.37% (95% CI: 37.33-57.41) is already immune at 2 years of age. For older age-groups, the prevalence is similar to that of most European countries: 80.19% (95% CI: 72.60-87.78) at 5 years, 92.52% (95% CI: 87.54-97.51) at 9 years and 100%> or =40 years. The accuracy of non-positive recollections of varicella histories among Flemish 10 to 17-year olds was examined on the basis of a second (residual) serum bank. In this group, VZV seroprevalence was almost always 100% (or nearly 100%), irrespective of age, degree of reliability (negative or uncertain answers) or level of ascertainment (child personally or parents). The limited size of this second data set did not allow for an accurate assessment of the negative predictive value of such recollections. since varicella-zoster virus predominantly affects very small children and is generally perceived as benign, the required high coverage rate of a universal childhood varicella vaccination programme may be hard to attain. Adolescent strategies can minimise the population risks involved but the accuracy of non positive antecedents of chickenpox needs to be documented to assess the efficiency of such strategies.

Enhancing Children's Memory Through Cognitive Interviewing: An Assessment Technique for Social Work Practice

The cognitive interview is a memory retrieval procedure consisting of four general retrievals mnemonics which was developed for eyewitnesses. Based on a sound theoretical framework, Geiselman et al. (1984) developed this technique to assist police officers in interviewing and interrogating witnesses. The cognitive interview has been accepted as one of the most successful interview techniques used in real-life investigations. This article will provide background of the current research on cognitive interviewing and will discuss the theoretical rationale for the use of the mnemonic strategies, the enhancement in the cognitive interviewing technique, and the modifications and revisions conducted from using the cognitive interview with children ages 7 to 12 years. The major conclusions drawn from the research are that the cognitive interview can enhance the completeness and accuracy of recollections by children and can offer a valuable technique for social workers interviewing and evaluating children who are victims or witnesses to crimes.

Accuracy of caregivers' recollections of caregiving hassles.

Despite their common use in clinical settings, caregivers' recollections of the hassles they face in caregiving have not been examined in previous research. Ninety-seven spousal caregivers of persons with dementia were assessed for 6 consecutive months concerning caregiving hassles and numerous other issues. A multi-pass rank order assessment identified the most stressful event in caregiving over each month-long interval. Each month via telephone interview, caregivers' recollections of the most stressful event in the previous month were assessed; no retrieval cues were provided. Of a total of 582 retrieval events examined, 378 (65%) were correct, 84 (14%) were incorrect, and 120 (21%) were not remembered. These data indicate that a majority of caregivers are capable of accurate recollection of caregiving hassles after a delay of one month following very careful ranking procedures, but also that individual differences in accuracy are present.

Accuracy of adult recollections of childhood victimization, Part 2: Childhood sexual abuse.

Using data from a study with prospective-cohorts design in which children who were physically abused, sexually abused, or neglected about 20 years ago were followed up along with a matched control group, accuracy of adult recollections of childhood physical abuse was assessed. Two hour in-person interviews were conducted in young adulthood with 1,196 of the original 1,575 participants. Two measures ( including the Conflict Tactics Scale ) were used to assess histories of childlhood physical abuse. Results indicate good discriminant validity and predictive efficiency ofthe self-report measures, despite substantial underreporting by physically abused respondents. Tests of construct validity reveal shared method variance, with self-report measures predicting self-reported violence and official reports of physical abuse predicting arrests for violence. Findings are discussed in the context of other research on the accuracy of adult recollections of childhood experiences.

Accuracy of adult recollections of childhood victimization, Part 2: Childhood sexual abuse.

Accuracy of adult recollections of childhood victimization, Part 2: Childhood sexual abuse.

Accuracy of adult recollections of childhood victimization: Part 1. Childhood physical abuse.

Accuracy of adult recollections of childhood victimization: Part 1. Childhood physical abuse.

How reliable are relatives' retrospective reports of terminal illness? Patients' and relatives' accounts compared

To assess the accuracy of relatives' recollections of patients' terminal illness 71 out of 77 caring relatives were re-interviewed about 4 months after they and the patients had given regular interviews throughout care. Current and retrospective ratings of problems and feelings have been compared for agreement, using the κ index. Several volunteered symptoms showed poor agreement, notably pain, anorexia and depression (κ = 0.03−0.21), but vomiting, dyspnoea and immobility ratings agreed moderately well (κ = 0.43−0.68). Current ratings from patients' and relatives' were always in better agreement with each other than with the relatives' retrospective ratings. Bias sometimes altered apparent prevalence; pain was described as more severe in retrospect, but weakness, malaise, depression and relatives' stress were under-rated later. Ratings of “discomfort only” became less common for all symptoms retrospectively. The regular current assessments of patients' and relatives' emotional state also agreed only slightly with relatives' follow-up accounts of depression but somewhat better for anxiety. Patients' stated knowledge of diagnosis, awareness and acceptance of dying matched the relatives' retrospective assessments moderately well (κ = 0.70, 0.50 and 0.41). This study and other available evidence indicate that relatives' retrospective reports of terminal illness, measured against current ratings, are moderately reliable for some items but can vary or be potentially misleading over other aspects, including pain. This could affect evaluations of care.

Accuracy of adult recollections of childhood victimization: Part 1. Childhood physical abuse.

Accuracy of adult recollections of childhood victimization: Part 1. Childhood physical abuse.

The influence of the wording of interrogatives on the accuracy of eyewitness recollections

Previous research has demonstrated that the content of eyewitness recollections is affected by suggestions conveyed during questioning. For the present study, we took advantage of an unexpected occurrence in order to assess the extent to which these reported effects generalize from the recall of specific events viewed under controlled conditions to the recollection of personal characteristics observed naturalistically. After two weeks of teaching, a sudden disability made it impossible for an instructor to meet his classes; students were then questioned about his appearance by a replacement instructor. Questions were phrased either with an indefinite article or with a possessive pronoun which conveyed a false presupposition that the instructor possessed certain personal attributes. More incorrect and uncertain recollections were reported in response to questions containing false presuppositions than to questions phrased with an indefinite article. The results support and extend the existing literature on the suggestibility that characterizes eyewitness testimony.

The influence of information redundancy upon the use of traits and persons as organizing categories

The following question is addressed: How do multiple, simultaneously present cognitive structures influence the representation and recall of social information? In an empirical study examining both free and cued recall, we found the variable information redundancy to influence both the organization and accuracy of subjects' recollections of trait-related behaviors. Redundancy was defined in terms of the degree of person/trait overlap in a social information ensemble. Some evidence indicated that this effect is attributable to an increase in the discriminability of the organizational structures during encoding. The implications of these findings for understanding the formation of integrated cognitive representations of individuals and the spontaneous use of traits in social information processing are discussed.

Eyewitness identification: Accuracy of individual vs. composite recollections of a crime

Individual eyewitness recall reports were gathered from witnesses who were later put into groups to discuss and reach a consensus on a description of a simulated crime they had witnessed. Groups gave more complete reports but at the price of a significant increase in errors of commission (the fabrication of details under group pressure).