False MemoryCogLab Homework

Due Thursday, March 23

1. Explain what is the difference between a "distractor" and a "special distractor" in this experiment?

2. Print out your individual data for the experiment. Briefly write what the classic finding is for this effect for the three conditions: mean percent of items presented in the sequence, non-special distractors not presented in the sequence, and special distractors not presented in the sequence. Explain if your data conformed to the classic finding of false memory, and if not explain why.

3. Based on your experience of the word lists and the distracters, suggest a underlying cognitive reason/mechanism why these false memories might occur.

4. Many times people are very confident in the accuracy of their memories. You may have experienced that feeling of confidence in this experiment only to find a higher incidence of false memory than expected. Discuss one type of situation in the real world where this confidence in a false memory could have serious consequences.