Theoretical commentary: The role of criterion shift in false memory.

TLDR

Roediger and McDermott (1995) reintroduced the Deese paradigm, a reliable and easy‑to‑implement technique widely used to generate false memories amid growing research interest. The study aimed to replicate Roediger and McDermott’s findings and explore how criterion shifts contribute to false memories. The authors replicated the original paradigm in two experiments. Analysis of signal‑detection parameters revealed that most false memories stem from criterion shifts, underscoring the role of criteria in false memory formation.

Abstract

Roediger and McDermott (1995) reintroduced a paradigm originally developed by Deese (1959). According to the authors, the paradigm provides a technique for the creation of false memories. The paradigm is reliable and easy to implement. Because of these characteristics and because of the current interest in false memories, the paradigm has been used in many recent studies. We replicated Roediger and McDermott’s results in two experiments. When conditions were included that allowed the computation of signaldetection parameters, we found that most of the false memories could be ascribed to criterion shifts. We discuss the possible role of criteria in defining and understanding false memories.