False memory propensity in people reporting recovered memories of past lives.
Are elevated rates of false recall and recognition in the Deese-Roediger-McDermott (DRM) paradigm associated with false autobiographical memories in everyday life? To investigate this issue, the authors recruited participants who reported improbable memories of past lives and compared their DRM performance with that of control participants who reported having lived only one life (i.e., their current one). Relative to control participants, those reporting memories of past lives exhibited significantly higher false recall and recognition rates in the DRM paradigm, and they scored higher on measures of magical ideation and absorption as well. The groups did not differ on correct recall, recognition, or intelligence. False memory propensity in the DRM paradigm may tap proneness for developing false memories outside the laboratory.
Meyersburg
Cynthia A
CA
Department of Psychology.
Bogdan
Ryan
R
0000-0002-1430-1045
Department of Psychology.
Gallo
David A
DA
Department of Psychology, University of Chicago.
McNally
Richard J
RJ
Department of Psychology.
D000328:Adult; D004213:Dissociative Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D021641:Recognition, Psychology; D012094:Repression, Psychology; D012153:Retention, Psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires