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JOURNAL ARTICLE SUMMARY TEMPLATE
Answer the following 8 questions and submit the completed Journal Article Summary
Template as well as a PDF of the article being reviewed to Canvas.
1. Current APA reference of article being reviewed:
Monds, L. A., Paterson, H. M., Kemp, R. I., & Bryant, R. A. (2013). Individual
differences insusceptibility to false memories for neutral and trauma-related
words.Psychiatry,Psychology, and Law, 20(3), 399-411.
https://doi.org/10.1080/13218719.2012.692932
2. What is the research problem that is being investigated? What is the purpose of the
research being conducted?
The research aims to understand how individual differences in dissociation, cognitive
biases, and the looming cognitive style relate to the formation of false memories,
particularly in response to both neutral and trauma-related stimuli. By investigating these
associations, the study seeks to uncover the underlying mechanisms behind false memory
formation and how they might vary depending on personal characteristics. This research
is important because it can provide insights into the factors that influence susceptibility to
false memories, which has implications for memory accuracy and eyewitness testimony.
3. What is the research question?
The research question is: How do individual differences in dissociation, cognitive biases,
and the looming cognitive style influence susceptibility to false memories, particularly in
response to both neutral and trauma-related stimuli?
4. What are 2 or more theories that are discussed in the Introduction? How are they used to
motivate (or set up) the research question? Do the authors agree or disagree with these
theories?
In the introduction, the study discusses two key theories to frame its research question.
Firstly, it explores the reconstructive nature of episodic memory, highlighting the
likelihood of memory distortion, especially concerning traumatic events like child sexual
abuse (CSA). This theory sets the stage for the investigation into individual differences in
susceptibility to false memories, emphasizing the importance of understanding memory
processes, particularly in contexts where memory accuracy is crucial. Secondly, the study
delves into the role of emotional stimuli in memory recall, acknowledging the mixed
findings in literature regarding its impact. While emotional stimuli may enhance
encoding and lead to more vivid memories, they could also contribute to source-
monitoring errors and increased susceptibility to false memories. By considering these
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theories, the study aims to shed light on the complex interplay between individual
differences, emotional content, and memory accuracy.
The authors align with these theories, recognizing the extensive body of research
supporting the reconstructive nature of memory and the influence of emotional stimuli on
memory recall. They use these theories to justify their investigation into how individual
differences in dissociation, cognitive biases, and the looming cognitive style may
contribute to susceptibility to false memories. By acknowledging these theoretical
frameworks, the authors provide a rationale for their research, emphasizing the need to
understand the underlying mechanisms of false memory formation, particularly in
response to both neutral and trauma-related stimuli.
5. How is the research question operationalized? First, identify the abstract constructs being
studied. Next, identify the concrete way these are being observed or measured. This
should include your IV and DV.
In this research, the abstract constructs under investigation include dissociation, cognitive
biases related to traumatic events, and the looming cognitive style. Dissociation is
measured using the Dissociative Experiences Scale–Comparative (DES-C), which
assesses self-reported dissociative experiences through a series of 28 statements with an
11-point response scale. Cognitive biases are operationalized using the Post-Traumatic
Cognitions Inventory (PTCI), consisting of 36 items measured on a 7-point Likert scale,
with higher scores indicating stronger endorsement of negative cognitions surrounding
traumatic events. Additionally, the looming cognitive style is assessed using the Looming
Maladaptive Style Questionnaire–Revised (LMSQ-R), where participants respond to
scenarios and associated questions on a 5-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating
a greater tendency toward employing the looming cognitive style.
The dependent variable in this study is susceptibility to false memories, particularly in
response to both neutral and trauma-related stimuli. This is measured through the Deese–
Roediger–McDermott (DRM) procedure, where participants are presented with word-lists
containing critical lures (CLs) that were not originally presented but are strongly related
to the studied words. Participants' false recall and recognition of these CLs serve as
indicators of susceptibility to false memories. By operationalizing these abstract
constructs and measuring susceptibility to false memories, the study aims to explore the
relationships between dissociation, cognitive biases, the looming cognitive style, and the
formation of false memories, providing insights into individual differences in memory
processes, particularly in response to traumatic stimuli.
6. What is the research design (i.e. between or within subjects, what type of statistical tests
were used, what were the levels of each variable)?
The research design adopted in this study follows a within-subjects approach, wherein
participants are exposed to both neutral and trauma-related word-lists within the Deese–
Roediger–McDermott (DRM) procedure. This design allows for the comparison of
participants' responses across different conditions, providing insights into individual
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differences in memory processes within the same individuals. Statistical analyses
predominantly include linear multiple regression and simultaneous multiple linear
regression techniques to examine the associations between independent variables (IVs)
like dissociation, cognitive biases, and the looming cognitive style, and dependent
variables (DVs) such as recall accuracy, critical lure recall, and confabulations.
In terms of variable levels, dissociation is measured through the Dissociative Experiences
Scale–Comparative (DES-C), where participants rate their experiences of dissociation.
Cognitive biases are assessed using the Post-Traumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI),
which includes subscales gauging negative cognitions related to traumatic events.
Meanwhile, the looming cognitive style is evaluated using the Looming Maladaptive
Style Questionnaire–Revised (LMSQ-R), capturing participants' tendencies to perceive
threats as imminent and escalating. Dependent variables encompass recall accuracy,
critical lure recall, and confabulations, reflecting participants' abilities to remember words
from the presented lists and their susceptibility to false memories. Overall, this study
employs a comprehensive within-subjects design and regression analyses to explore the
intricate interplay between individual differences in dissociation, cognitive biases, the
looming cognitive style, and susceptibility to false memories across neutral and trauma-
related stimuli.
7. Describe the results (but not their broader implications). Were the results significant?
Which ones? Do these support or not support the hypothesis?
The results of the study indicated several significant findings. First, participants
demonstrated higher accuracy in recalling trauma-related words compared to neutral
words. However, neither dissociation, cognitive biases, nor the looming cognitive style
significantly predicted recall accuracy or confabulations. Regarding critical lure recall,
participants reported significantly more neutral CLs than traumatic CLs, with dissociation
emerging as a significant predictor of overall CL recall and trauma lure recall.
Specifically, a higher level of dissociation was associated with increased reporting of
CLs. However, cognitive biases and the looming cognitive style did not significantly
predict critical lure recall.
Overall, while the results highlighted significant differences in recall between neutral and
trauma-related stimuli and the role of dissociation in critical lure recall, they did not
support the hypothesis that cognitive biases or the looming cognitive style would
influence memory processes related to neutral or traumatic stimuli. These findings
suggest a nuanced relationship between individual differences and susceptibility to false
memories, emphasizing the importance of dissociation in shaping memory recall in
response to emotional stimuli.
8. What limitations are mentioned? Why are these limitations theoretically interesting?
The study acknowledges several limitations that offer intriguing avenues for theoretical
exploration. Firstly, the reliance on undergraduate psychology students, most of whom
lack PTSD or trauma histories, may limit the broader applicability of the findings. This
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limitation underscores the necessity for future research to include diverse participant
samples, especially individuals with clinical diagnoses or relevant trauma backgrounds,
to better understand the interplay between individual differences and susceptibility to
false memories in clinical contexts. Moreover, the modest amount of variance explained
in the regressions suggests that additional variables beyond dissociation and cognitive
biases may influence false memory formation. This limitation prompts theoretical
inquiries into other potential factors, such as suggestibility, cognitive failures, and trauma
history, to gain deeper insights into the complex cognitive mechanisms underlying
memory processes and individual differences.
Furthermore, the absence of ratings assessing participants' perceived threat levels in
response to trauma word-lists raises questions about the role of subjective emotional
arousal in false memory susceptibility. Theoretical investigations into the interaction
between subjective emotional responses and memory formation could provide insights
into how emotional valence influences susceptibility to false memories. Understanding
these mechanisms could refine theoretical models of emotional memory processing and
inform interventions aimed at enhancing memory accuracy in both clinical and non-
clinical settings.
Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.
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