Lack of precision, misleading implications, and ethical issues arising from the use of the label "false memory" for errors in word memory
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Date
2004-11
Authors
DePrince, Anne P.
Allard, Carolyn B. (Carolyn Brigitte), 1968-
Oh, Hannah
Freyd, Jennifer J.
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Abstract
Since 1995, psychologists have increasingly used the term "false memory" to describe memory errors for details (e.g., errors for words learned in a list); such errors in details were once referred to by other terms, such as "intrusions". "False memories" is also used to refer to suggestibility experiments in which whole events are apparently confabulated and in media accounts of contested memories of childhood abuse. We examined use of the term "false memory/ies" to describe 1.) suggestibility for, or confabulation of, entire events or 2.) errors in details. Using the keyword "false memory/ies", journal articles published between 1992 and August 2003 were identified. Editorials, commentaries, responses to other articles, and book reviews were excluded. Of the 397 articles collected, 222 (55.9%) were empirical reports. Approximately 70% of empirical articles used the term "false memory/ies" to refer to error in details. The shift in language away from prior terms such as "memory intrusions" to a new use of the term "false memory" presents serious ethical challenges to the data-interpretation process by encouraging over-generalization and misapplication of research findings on word memory to social issues. The research and ethical implications of the new use of the term will be discussed.
Description
This information will be reported in DePrince, A.P., Allard, C., Oh, H., & Freyd, J.J. (in press). What’s in a
name for memory errors? Implications and ethical issues arising from the use of the label “false
memory” for errors in memory for details. Ethics & Behavior.
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Citation
DePrince, A.P., Allard, C.B., Oh, H., & Freyd, J.J.. (2004) Misleading implications from the use of the label "false memory." Poster presented at the 20th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, New Orleans, LA, November 14-18, 2004.