The impact of outcome valence on the susceptibility to suggestion for post-event causal misinformation

The Journal of General Psychology
Quin M ChrobakTony Otradovec

Abstract

Recent research has demonstrated that people are especially susceptible to false memory development for suggested misinformation that fills a causal role (i.e., explains some known outcome) (Chrobak & Zaragoza, 2013). However, little is known about how factors associated with the witnessed outcome impact the likelihood of false memory development. In the present study, outcome valence (negative, positive, or neutral) was manipulated. Participants heard several short stories that contained an outcome (e.g., a counselor getting promoted) that lacked a causal explanation. Participants were subsequently exposed to suggested causal misinformation that explained that outcome (e.g., the counselor performed an impressive act the previous day) and then were tested on their memory for the original event. Results indicated that participants incorrectly reported the suggested causal information more when it explained either a positive or negative outcome as opposed to a neutral outcome. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

References

Jul 1, 1993·Psychological Bulletin·M K JohnsonD S Lindsay
Aug 10, 2001·Psychonomic Bulletin & Review·J P Magliano, G A Radvansky
Jul 1, 1959·Journal of Experimental Psychology·J DEESE
Apr 1, 1965·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·M J LERNER
Jul 21, 2004·Cognitive, Affective & Behavioral Neuroscience·Elizabeth A Kensinger, Suzanne Corkin
Oct 25, 2008·Psychological Science·C J BrainerdV F Reyna
Apr 29, 2009·Journal of Experimental Psychology. General·Jeffrey M ZacksJeremy R Reynolds
Jun 3, 2009·Psychology and Aging·Jill D Waring, Elizabeth A Kensinger
Sep 19, 2012·Journal of Experimental Psychology. General·Quin M Chrobak, Maria S Zaragoza
Dec 1, 2012·Memory & Cognition·Hae-Yoon ChoiSuparna Rajaram
Apr 1, 2009·Emotion Review : Journal of the International Society for Research on Emotion·Mara Mather, Matthew R Sutherland

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Feb 9, 2017·Psychonomic Bulletin & Review·Eric J RindalCaitlin A Weihing

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Journal of Experimental Psychology. General
Quin M Chrobak, Maria S Zaragoza
Journal of Experimental Psychology. Learning, Memory, and Cognition
Maria S Zaragoza, J W Koshmider
Mental Health Today
Penny Letts
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved