False memories for semantic and category associates: Comparing retrieval strategies and retention interval

Abstract

False memories are memories that people believe indeed correspond to actual events from the past. Experimental investigation of false memories involves varied methodologies, including semantic and category associate technique. While the category method depends on the frequency of intra-list items, semantic associate measures semantic association of intra-list items. The present study compares false memory generation through category and semantic associates. Additionally, the mode of retrieval (recall, recognition) and retention interval (short, long) were manipulated to measure their effect on false memory generation. The result of the study suggests that retention interval and mode of retrieval did influence false memories generated using words (semantic associates) and line drawings (category associates).