Reducing false memories: Comparisons of the differential encoding conditions of perception, imagery, and generation

A false memory paradigm presents lists of semantically-related words, omitting one theme-related critical lure from each list. Although the theme enhances recall, participants often report hearing the non-presented critical lures at high rates. The purpose of this study is to investigate conditions under which the occurrence of this robust memory phenomenon can be reduced. The effectiveness of pictorial encoding in producing accurate memory has been well documented; however this study suggests alternative encoding methods that could be used when actual perception is not available as an option. Based on the concept that imagery and self-generation of pictures may be qualitatively similar to perception, this study will compare the encoding conditions, imagery and generation, with perception. It is expected that imagery will approach perception in percentages of correct recall and false memories, and that self-generation will also compare favorably with perception, although to a lesser degree than imagery.