Document Type
Thesis
Degree
Master of Science
Department
Psychology
Advisor's Name
Daniel Wright
Advisor's Title
Committee Chair
Advisor's Name
Stephen Charman
Advisor's Name
Nadja Schreiber Compo
Keywords
memory conformity, misinformation, likability
Date of Defense
5-19-2011
Abstract
The purpose of my research was to examine the impact of likability between two previously unacquainted individuals on memory conformity. One hundred and twenty seven undergraduate students were assigned to a likability condition (control, likable, or dislikable). After the likability manipulation the pair viewed pictures and were later tested on their memory for those pictures. The research confederate always answered first, so the participant’s responses could be based on a combination of their memory for the event and what the confederate reported.
Results indicated that participants were most likely to conform to the confederate’s responses when in the dislikable condition. Participants were most likely to answer accurately when in the likable condition. Although contrary to the previous research examining memory conformity among friends and romantic partners, these results are supported by the rapport-building literature in which creating a comfortable relationship between two strangers results in more accurate recall.
Recommended Citation
Kieckhaefer, Jenna M., "The Impact of Likability on Memory Conformity for Images" (2011). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 426.
http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/426