9/5 Reconstructive Memory Flashcards
Carlston & Smith (1996) The Mental Mush Principle:
Perception, judgment, and memory are [blank] in nature and the only differences lie in the timing and degree of [blank] between stimulus and cognition.
Constructive
Disparity between stimulus and cognitive
In each one, perceiver constructed representation from related knowledge.
Basically, Perception, judgement, and memory all grist for the mill. Mix them together to make mush, difference is timing and disparity.
Carlston & Smith (1996) The Mental Mush Principle
Specifically how do perception, judgment, and memory differ by disparity? How are they similar?
Similar: reconstruct from sensory input
Perception: little or no interval between stimulus presentation and report. High proportion of concrete detail.
Judge: abstract, interpretive, evaluative. Differs from original stimulus.
Memory: Stimulus not physcially present. Primarily episodic.
Ross (1989) Relation of implicit theories to the construction of personal histories
How do people recall their past standing on a personal attribute? By first assessing current standing.
Example: how good was I at this when I was 10? Mostly look at have you improved?
Improved, past was less. Declined, past is more. Stable past = present.
Change in Direction is what matters
Ross’ Research:
Ross McFarland Fletcher (1981) Toothbrushing
Conway & Ross (1984) Study Skills
McFarland Ross & Giltrow (1992) Aging
Persuasive message on benefits/dangers or brush, recall brushing more (less) in next 2 weeks. New attitude = recall.
Wish fullfillment: remember past skills as worse to show improvement even when there was none
Where do older people they should have declined vs. improved? Depends on current status AND if theorized to increase or decrease with age.
Hirt’s Paradigm
Expectancy-Guided Retrieval
Jack’s chem grade was 78, filler task, now you are told Jack got a tutor, no change, or lost the tutor.
Outcome: 84, 78, 72. Recalls his grades earlier in the semester.
Think first semester grade was higher if higher grade second semester
Also think in relation of tutor what must have happened.
Highest grades: Expected decline when final grade is high.
Lowest in expected improve when final grade was low.
McDonald & Hirt (1997) Motivation and Expectancy-Guided Retrieval
Jack’s midterm grades in four course, final exams, recall midterm grades.
Manipulation: Do you like JW. Nice, Nasty, or Neutral interview.
Manipulation: Social life: transcript of interview with roommate, relationship with KB who is serious or unmotivated.
Results: Different Groups
Expectancy was Improve and JW was nice, remember lower grades
Expectancy Decline and JW was mean, remember higher grades (want to believe he decreased)
Change of standard effect
Higgins & Lurie (1983) and Higgins & Stangor (1988)
Judgments made to a standard, which can change over time.
Recall for original info may be constructed relative to newer standard. Results can be erroneous.
How? Well, I might know a person is nice or mean, but my standards could change.
How did he show this?
Judges. Presumed sentencing by judges. Small paragraph regarding each of four judges.
Jones seems lenient relative to others or harsh BUT numbers are the same.
Two time points. Either H/H comparison, H/L, L/H, or L/L. new context judges in T2.
Results: T1 standards lead to L or H judgement.
T2: judgement, but different standard that is accessible. Recall H/H goes up, H/L goes way down, L/H goes way up, L/L goes down.
If H/L, you remember lower numbers due to change.
Deese (1959) Stimulus Lists
36 different stimlus words free association test (Needle) 12 highest frequency resposnes.
Needle false memory.
Why does this happen? What makes it vary?
Forward and Backward associations.
Probability of generating critical word from each individual word (likelihood thread generates needle = associated strength) Mean associative strength across 12 words.
Example: Bacon –> eggs, but eggs –> bacon. Idaho –> potato, not the other way around.
Correlation of .87 across lists. r between probab of memory intrusion and mean associative strength of stimulus words to critical word when DIRECTION accounted for.
Roediger & McDermott (1995) Proportion of items classified in each category
Old words and new words: were they in the list before or they new? Also how sure are you about this (sure vs. probably)?
Lure = a very tempting word (needle)
Mostly got the old and new orders identified.
BUT: Old and Sure was .58 sure for lure and .26 probably.
Loftus & Palmer (1974)
Traffic accident film
Smashed or contacted, asked week later if the glass was broken.
Smashed into twice as likely to have broken glass.
Alan, Alda, and Beth Loftus
Implant false memory of getting sick from hard boiled eggs
Was able to convince people of this on TV
Change Blindness from Simons & Levin (1998)
Inattention to concrete details
Door study-50% did not notice.
Younger students notice the change, older faculty didn’t. When it’s your group you remember details.
McGurek Effect: Visual over auditory.
