Age differences in false memories for visual scenes and the effect of prior recall

Abstract

This study investigated age differences in false memory for visual scenes and the effect of immediate recall on subsequent recognition. Eighty children (7–9 years), 74 adolescents (14–16 years), 92 young adults (19–26 years) and 82 older adults (50–80 years) studied four visual scenes and then took a recognition test after either a free-recall task or a filler task. Results showed an age-related decline in false recognition for visual scenes, but this trend was eliminated when participants were asked to free-recall before recognition. Prior recall decreased false recognition in children, but increased false recognition in older adults. Across the lifespan, adolescents had the loosest criterion, children had the lowest false recall, and prior recall increased true recognition in older adults.

Cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying false memories: misinformation, distortion or erroneous configuration?

“…Everyday life could be influenced by misinformation. According to the existing evidence age [73] and personality [28] are some of the mediating factors for a person's susceptibility to misinformation effect. Understanding how the brain changes with age and how these changes affect memory, recollection, and false memories has garnered a lot of attention recently.…”