Occasionally people have false memories, "recalling" events that never actually happened. Three of the following false memories are consistent with research findings regarding when false memories are likely to form. Which one is inconsistent with research findings?
A) After seeing a photo of a girl who looks like her riding an elephant, 10-year-old Sally says, "Oh, yes, I remember that elephant ride."
B) Eighteen-year-old Mark recalls attending a Jewish Bar Mitzvah when he was 13, even though he isn't Jewish and doesn't have any friends who are Jewish.
C) Four-year-old Carmen is asked to imagine herself going to Disney World and meeting Snow White. Several months later she claims she actually did meet Snow White.
D) As a requirement for his psychology class, 20-year-old Damion participates in a research study in which he's asked to read a group of 10 interrelated words (e.g., bed, pillow, dream). Afterward he claims that one of the words was sleep, even though it wasn't included in the list.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

False memories are more likely to form when the individual is presented with information that is plausible and consistent with their beliefs, attitudes or expectations. However, memories of events that are completely outside the realm of possibility (such as attending a Bar Mitzvah when you are not Jewish and have no Jewish friends) are less likely to be formed as false memories.

Occasionally People Have False Memories, "Recalling" Events That Never Actually