Research exploring the link between personality traits and false memory has yielded inconsistent and inconclusive results. We used secondary data (Bernstein et al., 2018) to explore the mechanisms underlying these mixed results. Our mediation models investigated the role of non-pathological dissociation in the link between negative emotionality and false memory susceptibility. A sample of 360 participants (aged 17-59) completed the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire Brief Form, the Dissociative Experiences Scale II, and two false memory measures: the Deese-Roediger-McDermott and misinformation tasks. Results revealed significant indirect and total effects in the mediation models, suggesting that negative emotionality affects dissociation, which increases false memory susceptibility. Notably, this relationship was observed in recognition but not recall tasks. These results highlight the need for researchers to adopt more nuanced approaches when exploring the relationship between personality traits and false memory. Our study illuminates potential mechanisms underlying the inconsistent findings observed in previous false memory research.

Although reward has been shown to enhance true memory through value-directed remembering, its effect on false memory is not well understood. We combined the pictorial DRM paradigm with a reward-learning task to investigate the effect of reward on false memory and its persistence over time. In Experiment 1, certain lists of pictures were rewarded, while others were not, then participants’ memories were tested immediately, 1 day later, or 1 week later. In Experiment 2, lists were associated with either high or low reward. Results from two experiments consistently showed that reward not only enhanced false recognition for lure pictures, but also significantly increased false binding between lure pictures and reward, forming false rewarding memories. Importantly, this reward-enhanced false memory effect persisted even after one week, whereas value-directed remembering decreased over time. Our results suggest a robust reward-enhanced effect on false memory that can last up to one week.

The Deese-Roediger McDermott paradigm has been used to identify mechanisms contributing to producing false memories. While scholars have typically used the DRM to investigate critical lure production in first-language speakers, a growing literature investigates how first versus second language use may influence false memory production. In this subset of the literature, discrepancies have arisen, with some studies suggesting that second-language users are more susceptible to false memories in their first language. In contrast, others observe that second-language users are either less susceptible or show null effects. The current meta-analytic review examines first versus second language use and critical lure production in the DRM paradigm. Preliminary results (k =22) of the meta-analysis suggest that individuals (N =1,714) recognize significantly more semantic false memories in their first language than in their second language (g = -0.55). Analyses regarding the potential moderating effect of language proficiency on false memory production will be presented.