Investigating the Effects of Investigating the Effects of Script-Related Interference Script-Related Interference

on Memory Recallon Memory Recall

Richard OuthouseRichard Outhouse

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Kelly MacInnisKelly MacInnis

TopicTopic

The effect of scripts on memory The effect of scripts on memory recallrecall

scripts: cognitive representations scripts: cognitive representations of a stereotypical sequence of of a stereotypical sequence of actions associated with a highly actions associated with a highly familiar action sequence.familiar action sequence.

Question: Do scripts interfere with Question: Do scripts interfere with memory recall of familiar events?memory recall of familiar events?

Related LiteratureRelated Literature Scripts are used to integrate information Scripts are used to integrate information

and simplify information processing (Foti and simplify information processing (Foti & Lord, 1987).& Lord, 1987).

Scripts provide expectations about people Scripts provide expectations about people and the world (Read & Cesa, 1991).and the world (Read & Cesa, 1991).

Scripts are only generalized sequences of Scripts are only generalized sequences of events, and therefore do not include events, and therefore do not include exceptions to order or actions (Trafimow exceptions to order or actions (Trafimow & Wyer, 1993). & Wyer, 1993).

Exceptions to the rule only Exceptions to the rule only complicate things, so they are not complicate things, so they are not included in scrips (Foti & Lord, included in scrips (Foti & Lord, 1987).1987).

Although scripts are helpful in Although scripts are helpful in predicting actions and aid memory predicting actions and aid memory in many ways, they may also have in many ways, they may also have a negative effect on memory (Foti a negative effect on memory (Foti & Lord, 1987).& Lord, 1987).

Scripts sometimes cause us to Scripts sometimes cause us to recall incorrect details (Trafimow & recall incorrect details (Trafimow & Wyer, 1993).Wyer, 1993).

When encountering events When encountering events consistent with personal scripts, consistent with personal scripts, those events are not copied to those events are not copied to memory, but rather we rely on memory, but rather we rely on simplified representations of these simplified representations of these events (Trafimow & Wyer, 1993).events (Trafimow & Wyer, 1993).

Relying on simplified representations Relying on simplified representations of events may cause us to recall of events may cause us to recall material that we were not presented material that we were not presented with (Trafimow & Wyer, 1993).with (Trafimow & Wyer, 1993).

HypothesisHypothesis

Yes, scripts do interfere with memory Yes, scripts do interfere with memory recall of familiar events. Certain words recall of familiar events. Certain words that describe a familiar sequence of that describe a familiar sequence of actions activate scripts and bring actions activate scripts and bring many bits of information regarding many bits of information regarding these events into the working memory. these events into the working memory. It can be difficult to distinguish It can be difficult to distinguish between actual events, and events between actual events, and events that are contained within a script.that are contained within a script.

VariablesVariables

Independent variable: Induced Independent variable: Induced impression from a short reading. impression from a short reading. Impression formation vs no Impression formation vs no impression formationimpression formation

Dependent variable: Accuracy of Dependent variable: Accuracy of memory recallmemory recall

MethodologyMethodology

Randomly assign subjects to either Randomly assign subjects to either impression-formation or control groupimpression-formation or control group

Present each subject with a short Present each subject with a short paragraph paragraph

Distract participants with a short “filler” Distract participants with a short “filler” testtest

Test for recall accuracy using a true/false Test for recall accuracy using a true/false test which tested both script related and test which tested both script related and non-script related materialnon-script related material

Analyzing DataAnalyzing Data

Recall tests were individually scored for Recall tests were individually scored for # of incorrect answers in both script-# of incorrect answers in both script-related and non-script related sections.related and non-script related sections.

Means and standard deviations for each Means and standard deviations for each group were calculated, including both group were calculated, including both script related and non-script related script related and non-script related scores.scores.

Differences between data were Differences between data were investigated using independent t-tests.investigated using independent t-tests.

Results for script-related Results for script-related questionsquestions

Control: M=0.00, SD=0Control: M=0.00, SD=0 Impression Formation: M=1.67, Impression Formation: M=1.67,

SD=1.50SD=1.50 Independent t-test: t(14)=-4.32, p<.01Independent t-test: t(14)=-4.32, p<.01 t-test supports hypothesis that subjects t-test supports hypothesis that subjects

in impression formation group would be in impression formation group would be less accurate in recalling script related less accurate in recalling script related material.material.

Results for non-script Results for non-script related questionsrelated questions

Control: M=0.60, SD=0.74Control: M=0.60, SD=0.74 Impression Formation: M=0.60, Impression Formation: M=0.60,

SD=0.83SD=0.83 Independent t-test: t(28)=0.00, p=1Independent t-test: t(28)=0.00, p=1 subjects in both control and subjects in both control and

impression formation group scored impression formation group scored equally on questions unrelated to equally on questions unrelated to scripts.scripts.

DiscussionDiscussion

Independent t-tests showed no Independent t-tests showed no differences in performance on non-differences in performance on non-script related questions, yet showed a script related questions, yet showed a significant difference between significant difference between performances on script-related performances on script-related questions (control performed much questions (control performed much more accurately).more accurately).

Likely that this difference can be Likely that this difference can be attributed to script-related interferenceattributed to script-related interference

DiscussionDiscussion Subjects in impression formation Subjects in impression formation

group had a script activated by the group had a script activated by the use of the word restaurantuse of the word restaurant

This script activation caused the This script activation caused the subjects to think about all of their subjects to think about all of their expectations regarding restaurant expectations regarding restaurant behavior, waitresses, etc (Read & behavior, waitresses, etc (Read & Cesa, 1991).Cesa, 1991).

The activated thoughts are difficult The activated thoughts are difficult to distinguish from actual events in to distinguish from actual events in the story (Trafimow & Wyer, 1993).the story (Trafimow & Wyer, 1993).

DiscussionDiscussion Because of difficulties Because of difficulties

distinguishing material, subjects distinguishing material, subjects sometimes recall material that sometimes recall material that they were not presented with they were not presented with (Trafimow & Wyer, 1993).(Trafimow & Wyer, 1993).

This phenomenon is known as This phenomenon is known as script-related interference.script-related interference.

Possible improvementsPossible improvements

Longer story with more questionsLonger story with more questions More quiet/less distracting setting More quiet/less distracting setting

(problems with recall may have been (problems with recall may have been related to outside noise distraction)related to outside noise distraction)

Larger test group to ensure that Larger test group to ensure that subject variables are kept to a subject variables are kept to a minimum.minimum.

Future ResearchFuture Research

Examine closely which questions Examine closely which questions were answered wrong most often to were answered wrong most often to determine which events are most determine which events are most closely tied to our cognitive scriptsclosely tied to our cognitive scripts

Somehow test children who have not Somehow test children who have not yet formed highly developed scripts yet formed highly developed scripts and compare the results to tests of and compare the results to tests of adults who have highly developed adults who have highly developed scripts (could also compare between scripts (could also compare between different cultures, which would have different cultures, which would have different scripts)different scripts)