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False Memories - Laney et Al
2
Laney et al.
Experiment One
AIM
The aim was to investigate whether giving false feedback suggesting that a participant had loved eating asparagus as a child, would generate a false belief or memory of experiences linked to eating and enjoying asparagus (Laney et al, 2008).
The sample consisted of 128 undergraduate students at the University of California who received course credit for their time.
Sample Technique: Opportunistic Volunteer
Divided into two groups:
Sample
The Control condition
The 'Love' condition
Or
(Laney et al, 2008).
Procedure
- Participants arrived to take part in a study of food preferences and personality. (Deception to control /limit demand characteristics)
- (week one) P's completed FHI and RQ + asked to complete 3 other questionnaires. (distract from true aim)
- 3 questionnaires tested for personality measure, social desirability scale, and an eating habits.
One week later
- Brought back to lab and randomly allocated into 'love asparagus' or control group.
- All p's were told that first week responses had been processed in a computer that generated a profile on early childhood experiences.
- "you loved to eat cooked asparagus was embedded in third line of love asparagus group.
- Two feedback questions then re-completed FHI and the RQ.
When questionnaires were completed, p's were fully debriefed (Laney et al, 2008).
- 2nd FHI:
- participants in the "love" condition's average (mean) response rose by 2.6
- Control only increased by 0.2 points
- Participants who were told that they loved asparagus when they first tried it had a greater chance of generating a false memory or belief to substantiate this false memory
Results
Conclusions
- The love group believers had a greater intention to eat asparagus in a restaurant in the future.
- This same group also had a greater preference for asparagus. Additionally, they were willing to pay more for asparagus
(Laney et al, 2008).
Experiment Two
Experiment Two
AIM
To investigate the consequences of implanting positive false memories in terms or the effects it has on liking asparagus and choosing asparagus (Laney et al, 2008).
Sample
- Independent groups design
- One of two conditions:
- Love condition
- control group
- 103 Participants: 64 females and 39 males
- average age: 19.9
- Randomly assigned conditions:
- Love condition: 58
- Control condition: 45
(Laney et al, 2008).
Procedure
- P's arrived at lab and told they were to complete several questionnaires
- no deception or cover story for experiment
- Completed FHI, RQ, and FPQ; with filler questionnaires: personality measure + social desirability scale.
- P's randomly allocated into "love" condition or control group
- Told all responses were placed into a computer which created a profile of their expected early childhood experiences
- P's in "love" condition given profile w/ critical phrase "you loved asparagus the first time you ate it." in third position
- P's completed an elaboration exercise
- all asked "what is the most important childhood, food-related event in your life that your food profile did not report?"
- Slide show of 20 colored photos of common foods displayed for 30 seconds each to p's
- on a scale of 1-8 answered how
- appetizing they found food depicted
- how disgusting food seemed
- artistic quality of photo
- whether photo was taken by amateur, novice, or expert photographer
One week later
Finally they completed the RQ, FPQ, and FHI again, and the same MBQ from experiment one. When questionnaires were completed, p's were fully debriefed (Laney et al, 2008).
- Similar to experiment 1: love and control rated similarly before manipulation but different after.
- MBD suggested p's who were told they love asparagus had greater chance of generating false memory/belief
- On the RQ neither believers nor the control group reported an increased desire to eat critical asparagus items when comparing in two weeks.
Results
Conclusions
- Participants can be given positive false food beliefs that have consequences.
- Participants who believed the false feedback were more likely to rate asparagus as more appetizing and less disgusting.
(Laney et al, 2008).
Help people change their diets and live a healthier lifestyle (Laney ey al, 2002.)
Study's applications
Another Application
Another way these findings can be used in the real world is by providing patients in a therapy session a bit of relief by implementing good false memories.
Citations
L. C. (2008). Asparagus, a true love story. Healthier living could be just a false memory away. Laney Et Al, 75-81.