Investigating the Effect of Attentional Control on Source Monitoring and DRM Memory Performance

Abstract

Theoretical frameworks such as Fuzzy Trace Theory (FTT), the Global-Matching Model (GMM), and Activation Monitoring Theory (AMT) have been proposed to explain the mechanisms underlying false memory formation in the DRM paradigm. Recent research has explored novel list types, such as mediated lists, to isolate spreading activation, and showed support for associative activation over gist-based processing. Studies examining source monitoring in DRM paradigms have highlighted the importance of attentional control (AC), with divided attention (DA) during encoding leading to impaired source detail recollection. This thesis examined how AC affected the accuracy of source monitoring and susceptibility to false memories based on list type. Experiment 1 investigated manipulations in attention at encoding by providing sets of directly related (DRM) and indirectly related (mediated) word lists for study and compared the source memory accuracy of full attention (FA) and DA conditions. Results did not display an effect of attention on recognition or source attribution rates. Experiment 2 utilized the same procedure, but instead of manipulating attention, participants’ inherent AC was measured using Stroop-, Simon-, and Flanker-squared tasks. AC was not related to recognition or source attribution rates for either list type. Discussion focuses on the role of attention in illusory recollection of source details for false memories and whether the distraction manipulation in Experiment 1 and squared tasks used in Experiment 2 were sufficient in capturing source processes