Factors effecting the accuracy of memory

• INTERFERENCE: MCDONALDS STUDY

  Aim: to see the effect of doing 2 activities on accuracy of memory

  Method: learned a list of 10 words and then another list of varying types, e.g. synonyms and antonyms

  Results: memory was effected by the second list, most of all if second list had similar meaning (synonyms)

  Conclusion: shows interference affects accuracy of memory and its strongest when you try to remember two similar things
• EVALUATION: MCDONALDS STUDY

  controlled research: high control e.g. counterbalancing, was uses to reduce bias :)

  artificial task: it does not reflect real-life memory as we don't often have to remember very similar words :(

  not really forgetting: it may be information is not forgotten nut just cannot be accessed, so it isn't actually forgotten (tulving and psoka) :(
• CONTEXT: GODDEN AND BADDELYS STUDY

  Aim: to see if context improved recall

  Method: divers listened to and recalled words In the same or different settings on the beach and underwater

  Results: recall was highest in the same environment for learning and recall

  Conclusion: context of learning acts as a trigger or cue, improving the accuracy of memory
• EVALUATION OF GODDEN AND BADDELEYS STUDY

  artificial task: lists of words were used. when more complex materials were used, better recall was found :(

  recall was short term: participants recalled the words almost immediately, unlike in everyday life :(

  similar context: context only acts as a cue if context at learning and recall are very similar, which rarely happens :(
• FALSE MEMORYS: LOFTUS AND PICKRELL'S STUDY

  Aim:to see if false memories could be created in participants through suggestion

  Method: 4 stories about childhood events were read where 3 were true and 1 was false (shopping mall)

  Results: 6 out of 24 (25%) of participants recalled the false story fully or partially

  Conclusion: imagining an event can implant a false memory in a person, reducing accuracy of memory
• EVALUATION OF LOFTUS AND PICKRELL'S STUDY

  artificial task: harmless events could be implanted easily but traumatic events may not, so conclusions are limited :(

  ethical issues: participants may be left with implanted false memories which lingered after the study, causing distress :(

  real-world application: research has limitations for eyewitness testimony as police questioning could accidentally implant false memories :)