Using A Similar Deign And Mcdermott s False Memory...

The current experiment used a similar deign as Roediger and McDermott’s (1995) false memory experiment. In this 2x2 mixed factorial designed experiment, memory was tested using a word list that was either blocked by five critical words on a particular subject or randomized. Participants were university college students who participated for course credit. There was a significant difference in false memory when the blocked vs. random lists were compared to examine which had more words remembered. The participants who were randomly assigned to the blocked list recalled more words to include actual words and the critical words when compared to those randomly placed in the random word condition. The results revealed that using the blocked lists better facilitated the actual memory and recalled more critical words/false memories. Memory has been a subject of study to see if what we remember is a true memory or a false memory. Some of the studies conducted on this have used sentences, prose, films and slides to test the memory and find out if the individual can recall the actual story or have false memories about what they experienced (Roediger III McDermott, 1995, p. 803). The problem arises when eyewitnesses recall information about an event but proves to be false. Roediger, Jacoby and McDermott state that when you test the memory you are not just testing the retention of that event, you are also changing how the individual retains that particular event in the future.