Accurate and False Recall in the Deese/Roediger and McDermott Procedure: A Methodological Note on Sex of Participant

Abstract

Research suggests that individuals may differ in their susceptibility to false memory in the Deese/Roediger and McDermott procedure. Prior studies of differences have focused on the effects of age, personality, personal past history of abuse, and neurological status on false memory susceptibility. This study examined whether sex might also differentially influence false memory. After listening to a series of word lists designed to elicit false recall of nonstudied associates, 50 male and 50 female college students free recalled the lists. Analysis showed no sex difference in accurate recall, false recall, or unrelated intrusions. A robust false memory effect was observed, but sex did not differentiate performance.

Gender differences in false memory production

“…This included the absence of main effects of gender and interactions involving gender. This pattern replicates deMayo and Diliberto (2003; see also Seamon et al, 2002), who also found no gender differences but does not replicate Lenton et al (2001), who found that indirect stereotype associations can produce false memories using the DRM paradigm. The present experiment did not (intentionally) invoke traditional (or non-traditional) male or female stereotypes and still no false memory effect was observed that was related to gender.…”

“…We also ensured that our females subjects were screened for childhood sexual abuse, which has been shown to affect false memory production in females, and both groups were statistically equated on a number of demographic and psychological variables. We also increased our sample size by 41% over that reported in Seamon et al (2002). These authors found no gender effects using 50 men and 50 women and concluded that more subjects would be required to show even moderate false memory effects.…”

“…One additional study is of interest to the present experiment. Seamon, Guerry, Marsh, and Tracy (2002) found no sex differences in false memories using the DRM paradigm, although they did report a robust false memory effect. Although they used 16 words lists from Roediger and McDermott (1995), they did not examine their subjects' performance as it related to the MAN and GIRL lists.…”

“…They also calculated the numbers of subjects needs to find effects and concluded that "group sizes less that 50 participants ... are not likely to influence the results..." (p. 426). In order to remedy this, we are testing 41% more subjects than Seamon et al (2002) in hopes of finding an effect involving gender.…”

“…That is, for females (males) on the GIRL (MAN) list a false memory would occur if an individual recalled or recollected the word GIRL (MAN) when it did not explicitly appear in any of the materials presented to the participant during the experiment. We do not expect gender differences in false memory production on any of the control word lists (BREAD, BLACK, HIGH; also taken from Roediger & McDermott, 1995), consistent with Seamon et al (2002).…”