Emotional stimuli are not immune to memory conformity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34019/1982-1247.2023.v17.30922Keywords:
Recognition memory, Memory conformity, Emotion, Retention interval, DistinctivenessAbstract
Memory conformity occurs when memory reports from one person are modified by memory reports from another person. In two experiments, we assessed whether stimulus emotionality moderates memory conformity in a recognition memory task. In Experiment 1, we assessed whether the interval between study and test phases could differentially affect conformity for negative and neutral stimuli. In Experiment 2, we changed the experimental design to enhance the effect of emotion on memory. In both experiments, memory conformity was similar for negative and neutral stimuli. The results suggest that emotional stimuli are not immune to socially-driven memory distortions.
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