Effects of presentation format and list length on children's false memories

Swannell, Ellen R.; Dewhurst, Stephen A.

Abstract

The effect of list length on children's false memories was investigated using list and story versions of the Deese/Roediger-McDermott (DRM) procedure. Short (7 items) and long (14 items) sequences of semantic associates were presented to children aged 6, 8 and 10 years old either in lists or embedded within a story that emphasized the list theme. Subsequent tests of recognition memory revealed different effects of length for lists and stories across development. Longer lists produced more false alarms to critical lures for eight- and ten-year-olds only, and longer stories produced more false alarms to critical lures for six-year-olds only. These results demonstrate that increasing the number of items presented at study increases false recognition for younger as well as older children when the theme of the items is made salient.

Citation

Swannell, E. R., & Dewhurst, S. A. (2013). Effects of presentation format and list length on children's false memories. Journal of cognition and development : official journal of the Cognitive Development Society, 14(2), 332-342. https://doi.org/10.1080/15248372.2011.638689

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 1, 2013
• Publication Date: 2013-04
• Print ISSN: 1524-8372
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 332-342
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15248372.2011.638689
• Keywords: false memories, DRM procedure, developmental reversals
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/405706