This study investigated the effects of stimulus presentation time and type of test (recognition and perceptual identification) on false memories in the DRM paradigm. Four presentation times were manipulated during the encoding phase: 20ms, 250ms, 1000ms and 3000ms. A hundred undergraduate students participated in each test. The following hypotheses were tested: longer presentation durations should produce higher levels of false memories, regardless of memory test, and significant higher level of false memories should be observed in the direct test. Both variables produced significant effects on false memories. The results suggested that conscious processes played a major role in the production of memory illusions, with mild participation of unconscious processes. The phenomenon is discussed adopting a dual processing model that includes both encoding and retrieval processes.
false memories; recognition; perceptual identification; conscious processes; unconscious processes
