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Conformity effects in memory as a function of group size, dissenters and uncertainty
Author(s) -
Walther Eva,
Bless Herbert,
Strack Fritz,
Rackstraw Patsy,
Wagner Doris,
Werth Lioba
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
applied cognitive psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.719
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1099-0720
pISSN - 0888-4080
DOI - 10.1002/acp.828
Subject(s) - psychology , recognition memory , conformity , recall , social psychology , unanimity , salient , memoria , cognition , false memory , developmental psychology , cognitive psychology , neuroscience , artificial intelligence , political science , computer science , law
In two experimental studies we investigated how false memory reports provided by anonymous group members affect individuals' recognition. Participants were presented with a series of salient and non‐salient objects and recognition memory was subsequently assessed for presented and non‐presented stimuli. In this recognition test, participants were confronted with (in)correct responses from bogus group members. The findings indicate that the bogus answers influenced memory reports only in the absence of a clear recollection and if the stimulus was not judged to be particularly memorable. Moreover, we found no evidence that motivational influences affected participants' judgements. However, the influence of the bogus group decreased with the presence of dissenters who broke the unanimity of the group, and it increased with higher uncertainty. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.