False recognition effect for typical representative's picture as the result of categorical memory illusion

Abstract

Previous studies of categorical memory illusion showed the influence of both the encoding and the retrieval phase on the formation of the illusion. To describe and compare the level of category illusion (false recognition of a typical class representative) under various retrieval conditions we developed and modified six lists of categorized pictures. In a series of three experiments with different conditions at the retrieval phase, subjects studied lists of categorized pictures. In experiment 1, false recognition was manifested for different exemplars of critical lures that had various perceptual details. However, the percent of false recognitions was different for each exemplar. The aim of experiment 2 was to describe false recognition of a typical class representative in a condition of several critical lures at the retrieval phase. In experiment 3, we compared conditions with one and several exemplars of critical lure shown at the retrieval phase. We expected the subjects in a condition with several exemplars of critical lures to rely on perceptual details; since they would not recall them, the subjects would reject all the proposed alternatives. We found no statistically significant differences in the number of correct answers between a condition with one and with several exemplars of a critical lure. However, the condition with several exemplars of the critical lure was found to decrease confidence in the correct response, which may indicate a more complex task.