PSYCHOLOGY MASTER'S THESIS ABSTRACT

Dawn Louise Davis

MA-Research
May 2002

Observer Versus Field Perspectives in False Memories

    This study explores the relationships between memory perspectives, false memories and mental imagery ability.  Participants performed or imagined 96 statements and, after a delay, completed recognition, source attribution and memory perspective decisions.  Participants selected Observer, Field or Neither perspective for each recalled item.  In Observer perspective, we 'see ourselves,' including seeing our own body.  Field perspective involves seeing through our own eyes.  Mental imagery ability was assessed using the Creative Imagination Scale.  Accurately recalled performed items and falsely recalled imagined items were expected to be high in Field perspective.  Accurately recalled imagined items and falsely recalled performed items were expected to be high in Observer perspective.  Results indicate that true and false memories were more likely to be in Field perspective than in Observer perspective.  However, the difference between Field and Observer perspectives was greater for true memories.  The implications of the findings and future research directions are discussed.

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