Subjective memory measures: metamemory questionnaires currently in use

Abstract

Subjective memory evaluation is important for assessing memory abilities and complaints, alongside objective measures. In both research and clinical settings, questionnaires are used to examine memory beliefs and knowledge, perceived memory ability, and memory complaints. Although they provide a structured measure of self-reported memory, there is some debate as to whether subjective evaluation accurately reflects memory abilities. Specifically, the disconnect between subjective and objective memory measures remains a longstanding issue within the field. Thus, it is essential to evaluate the benefits and limitations of questionnaires that are currently in use. This review encompasses three categories of subjective memory questionnaires: metamemory, self-efficacy, and complaints. Factors influencing self-evaluation of memory including knowledge and beliefs about memory, ability to evaluate memory, recent metamemory experiences, and affect are examined. The relationship between subjective and objective memory measures is explored and considerations for future development and use of memory questionnaires are provided.

The role of individual features of memory and impulsiveness in telling a true or false story in a realistic, clear, and reconstructible way

“…Consequently, liars are more prone to metacognitive errors when lying after extended intervals (Harvey et al, 2017). To measure this complex aspect of metacognition, the MM questionnaires contain several subscales to capture different features of memory (Gopi and Madan, 2022); for this study, we took into account four aspects of the memory functioning based on self-appraisal: frequency of memory failures, severity of memory failures, changes of memory performance over time, and the use of memory facilitating strategies. The frequency and the seriousness of memory failures refer, respectively, to how often memory mistakes occur for specific situations (Bennett-Levy and Powell, 1980;Sehulster, 1981;Zelinski and Gilewski, 2004) and how serious one perceives their memory failure.…”