Psychology ETDs

Paul Guinther

Publication Date

8-31-2011

Abstract

Modified versions of the original Derived Relational Intrusions Following Training paradigm (DRIFT; Guinther & Dougher, 2010) were used to engineer semantic false memories and contextually-controlled semantic false memories in group data. Experiment I replicated and extended the original DRIFT paradigm by showing that interrelated conditional discrimination training (match-to-sample; MTS) could influence subsequent false recall even in the absence of tests of symmetry and transitivity. It was also found that false recall was especially likely among those participants whose self reports indicated awareness that the study list words shared a common conditionally discriminative function. Experiment II required participants to complete a contextually-controlled MTS training procedure in which study list words were assigned to participate in a functional equivalence class with one set of non-study words in one context but with a different set of non-study words in a different context. Subsequent transfer of the study list words remembering function to non-study words (i.e., false recall) was found to be dependent upon the context in which the free recall test was administered, thus demonstrating engineered contextual control of semantic false memory.

Degree Name

Psychology

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Psychology

First Committee Member (Chair)

McDaniel, Mark

Second Committee Member

Witherington, David

Third Committee Member

Hamilton, Derek

Language

English

Keywords

False memory syndrome, Semantic memory, Context effects (Psychology)

Document Type

Dissertation

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