The memory conjunction error paradigm: normative data for conjunction triplets

In the typical memory conjunction experiment, participants are presented with two "parent" stimulus items (e.g., blackmail and jailbird) that are later recombined to form a "conjunction lure" (e.g., blackbird). This paradigm is an efficient way to test false memories because participants frequently show false recognition for the recombined features of the previously studied stimuli. Two experiments are reported in which normative data for 96 memory conjunction triplets are presented. The first experiment provides descriptive statistics for how often the conjunction triplets show true and false recognition. Due to the variance in the rates of false recognition for the conjunction lure, the second experiment was conducted to help build an understanding of the factors that affect the rate of false recognition of the conjunction lures. Conceptual overlap of the first parent word and the conjunction item predicted false recognition. Digital files containing norms for 96 memory conjunction triplets may be downloaded from www.psychonomic.org/archive.