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Article
Reduction of the Misinformation Effect by Arousal Induced After Learning
Cognition
  • Shaun English, Marquette University
  • Kristy A. Nielson, Marquette University
Document Type
Article
Language
eng
Format of Original
6 p.
Publication Date
11-1-2010
Publisher
Elsevier
Original Item ID
doi: 10.1016/j.cognition.2010.08.014
Disciplines
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.

Citation Information
Shaun English and Kristy A. Nielson. "Reduction of the Misinformation Effect by Arousal Induced After Learning" Cognition (2010) ISSN: 0010-0277
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/kristy_nielson/27/