Effects of Proficiency in a Second Language on False Memories Produced by Associative and Categorical Procedures

Date

2024-8

Author

Aykut, Bahar

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False memories have been studied extensively to understand the underlying mechanisms of various cognitive processes (Gallo, 2010). A common method to explore false memory is the Deese, Roediger, and McDermott (DRM) paradigm (Deese, 1959; Roediger & McDermott, 1995). Research focusing on the effect of language on DRM-elicited false memories has shown not only that false recognition rates are higher in the dominant language (L1) compared to the non-dominant language (L2) (Anastasi et al., 2005), but also that false memory rates increase with proficiency (Arndt & Beato, 2017). These differences were explained with differential activation in L2 and L1 (Dewhurst et al., 2009). In addition, studies suggest that DRM and category lists create different activation levels (Coane et al., 2021). However, the differential effects of list type on false memories at different levels of proficiency in L2 have not yet been investigated. The current study aims to investigate the effect of proficiency in L2 on the differential false memory rates elicited by DRM and category lists. To this end, we ran a two-session experiment in which we contrasted the false memory rates elicited with DRM and category lists for individuals with differential levels of L2 proficiency. L2 proficiency was expected to affect DRM and category lists differently. Results showed that DRM and category lists differed regarding false v memory rates in L2, supporting previous literature. However, levels of L2 proficiency did not affect false memory rates in either list type, the reasons for which are discussed regarding underlying mechanisms.

Subject Keywords

False memory, second language proficiency, DRM paradigm, category lists, recognition memory

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11511/110907

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Graduate School of Social Sciences, Thesis