Remembering what never happened : recollective experience in false autobiographical memories

Two studies investigated the mechanisms of false memory creation and the character of recollective experience in false childhood autobiographical memories. Study 1 used the imagination inflation methodology reported by Garry et al (1996). No differences were found between narrative reports of inflated and not-inflated events on two measures of elaborateness, supporting the direct decision bias hypothesis of false memory creation. Study 2 used a variation of the interview method originally reported by Loftus & Ketcham (1994) to compare several aspects of recollective experience between true and false remembered events. True memories were rated by participants as better remembered, more important, more emotionally intense, as having clearer imagery, and as less typical than were false memories. Once rehearsal effects were accounted for, only a difference in typicality remained. Imagery in true memories was most often viewed from the field perspective, whereas imagery in false memories was most often viewed from the observer perspective. Similarity between true and false autobiographical memories indicates either the universality of constructive influences on memory or the lack of distinguishability of imagination and memory. Imagery perspective may represent a distinguishing character of memories created through imagination. Greater typicality ratings for false memories also support the direct decision bias hypothesis.