How do we judge our confidence? Differential effects of meta-memory feedback on eyewitness accuracy and confidence

According to the cue–belief model, we assess confidence in our memories using self-credibility cues that reflect beliefs about our memory faculties. We tested the influence of meta-memory feedback on self-credibility cues in the context of eyewitness testimony, when feedback was provided prior to “testifying” via a memory questionnaire (Experiment 1) and after an initial memory questionnaire but before participants had to retake it (Experiment 2). Participants received feedback (good score, bad score, or none) on a fictitious scale purported to predict eyewitness memory ability. Those given good score feedback before testifying were more confident (but no more accurate) than those given bad score feedback. Feedback also affected confidence (good increased and bad decreased) and accuracy (good increased) after testifying but only on leading questions. These differential effects of meta-memory feedback on confidence for normal and leading questions are not explained by the cue–belief model. Implications for our confidence judgments are discussed.     

Dissociation and memory fragmentation: experimental effects on meta-memory but not on actual memory performance

The relation between state dissociation and fragmentary memory was investigated by assessing both actual memory performance and meta-memory. From a sample of 330 normal subjects, two subsamples were selected on basis of trait dissociation, as measured by the Dissociative Experience Scale. Twenty subjects scoring above 30 and 20 subjects scoring below 10 were selected. Subjects watched an extremely aversive film, after which state dissociation was measured by the Peri-traumatic Dissociative Experience Scale. Four hours later memory fragmentation was assessed in two ways. Actual fragmentation was measured by a sequential memory task, and perceived fragmentation (meta-memory) was measured using a visual analogue scale. Subjects who tended to dissociate during the film judged their recollections of the film as more fragmentary. Although this finding is in line with clinical reports given by trauma victims, it was not sustained by objective evidence. That is, no effect was observed of state dissociation on the sequential memory task. The present findings suggest that the claim that dissociation induces memory fragmentation may have to be confined to meta-memory. Implications of this divergence between actual memory and meta-memory are discussed.     

记忆重构和信心评估:商标属性与使用经验的影响

记忆是重现,还是重构?已有理论存在争论。本研究以商标信息为实验材料,应用任务分离范式、元记忆检测范式等方法,探讨了商标属性和用户使用经验对记忆重构的影响。结果发现:(1)商标信息的正确回忆频数及成绩显著低于错误回忆的频数和成绩。(2)简单商标的记忆成绩高于复杂商标的记忆成绩;同时,忠实用户对商标信息的记忆成绩显著高于非忠实用户;(3)在回忆任务之前,人们对商标信息的回忆及其信心评估存在分离;但在回忆任务后二者的变化趋于一致。这表明,复杂程度对商标信息的记忆重构存在显著影响,而且存在用户类型差异;商标信息的记忆重构过程中元认知判断及信心评估会发生变化。     

元记忆监测研究综述

元记忆监测是元记忆能力的重要部分,元记忆监测能力是元记忆能力的关键。近年来元记忆监测引起越来越多人的研究兴趣,这种研究兴趣渗透到心理学的不同领域,如记忆心理学、认知神经心理学和社会心理学等。本文探讨了元记忆监测的含义、类型、机制理论和研究方法,也指出了存在的问题并进行了展望。     

心理负荷对元记忆监测准确性及偏差的影响

以汉字再认任务为载体, 采用两因素被试内设计, 考察任务所导致的心理负荷水平, 以及学习判断(JOL)和信心判断(JOC)两种监测方式, 对元记忆监测效果的影响。对监测效果的衡量分别使用了相对准确性, 绝对准确性, 以及判断偏差三种指标。结果发现, 个体在任务过程中的心理负荷水平会影响其对任务解决过程的监测准确性:心理负荷水平越高, 元记忆监测的准确性越低。心理负荷水平还会影响元记忆监测的判断偏差:心理负荷处于中等偏低水平时, 监测不容易出现偏差;心理负荷处于中等偏高水平时, 个体表现出过高自信;但当心理负荷达到较高水平后, 判断偏差消失;随着心理负荷水平继续增大, 个体又表现出过低自信。