Reduction of the Misinformation Effect by Arousal Induced After Learning

Authors

Shaun English, Marquette University
Kristy A. Nielson, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

6 p.

Publication Date

11-2010

Publisher

Elsevier

Source Publication

Cognition

Source ISSN

0010-0277

Original Item ID

doi: 10.1016/j.cognition.2010.08.014

Abstract

Misinformation introduced after events have already occurred causes errors in later retrieval. Based on literature showing that arousal induced after learning enhances delayed retrieval, we investigated whether post-learning arousal can reduce the misinformation effect. 251 participants viewed four short film clips, each followed by a retention test, which for some participants included misinformation. Afterward, participants viewed another film clip that was either arousing or neutral. One week later, the arousal group recognized significantly more veridical details and endorsed significantly fewer misinformation items than the neutral group. The findings suggest that arousal induced after learning reduced source confusion, allowing participants to better retrieve accurate details and to better reject misinformation.

Comments

Post-Print.

Cognition, Volume 117, No. 2 (November 2010), DOI: 10.1016/j.cognition.2010.08.014.

Recommended Citation

English, Shaun and Nielson, Kristy A., "Reduction of the Misinformation Effect by Arousal Induced After Learning" (2010). Psychology Faculty Research and Publications. 5.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/psych_fac/5