ABSTRACT

The present experiment aimed to examine how fabrication can affect memory. In particular, we examined whether different types of fabrication can lead to different mnemonic effects. A sample of 159 participants watched a video of a robbery and subsequently answered some questions about it. Participants were divided into three conditions: one group was instructed to tell the truth (i.e., truth-telling group), while the other two groups were instructed to lie either by partially distorting details (i.e., distortion group) or by completely making up wrong details of the event seen in the video (i.e., fabrication group). Two days later, participants completed a final memory test where they honestly answered recognition and recall questions concerning: (i) memory for the video and (ii) memory for having discussed details during the interview. Results showed that different types of fabrication affect liars’ memory differently. Fabricators reported an undermining of memory for the event, whereas those who partially distorted details reported a higher impairment for the interview. Our findings showed that the effects of lying on liars’ memory might be determined by the cognitive resources required to lie.

摘要

本实验旨在研究制造如何影响记忆。特别是，我们检查了不同类型的制造是否会导致不同的助记效果。一个由 159 名参与者组成的样本观看了抢劫的视频，并随后回答了一些有关抢劫的问题。参与者被分为三种情况：一组被指示说实话（即说真话组），而另外两组被指示通过部分歪曲细节（即歪曲组）或完全编错来撒谎。视频中看到的事件的详细信息（即制作组）。两天后，参与者完成了最终的记忆测试，他们诚实地回答了关于以下方面的识别和回忆问题：（i）对视频的记忆和（ii）在采访中讨论细节的记忆。结果表明，不同类型的制造对说谎者的记忆有不同的影响。制造者报告说他们对事件的记忆力受到了损害，而那些部分扭曲细节的人报告说在采访中受到了更高的损害。我们的研究结果表明，撒谎对说谎者记忆的影响可能取决于撒谎所需的认知资源。