Investigating the Effects of Script-Related Interference on Memory Recall Richard Outhouse & Kelly MacInnis

Topic n The effect of scripts on memory recall n scripts: cognitive representations of a stereotypical sequence of actions associated with a highly familiar action sequence. n Question: Do scripts interfere with memory recall of familiar events?

Related Literature n Scripts are used to integrate information and simplify information processing (Foti & Lord, 1987). n Scripts provide expectations about people and the world (Read & Cesa, 1991). n Scripts are only generalized sequences of events, and therefore do not include exceptions to order or actions (Trafimow & Wyer, 1993).

n Exceptions to the rule only complicate things, so they are not included in scrips (Foti & Lord, 1987). n Although scripts are helpful in predicting actions and aid memory in many ways, they may also have a negative effect on memory (Foti & Lord, 1987). n Scripts sometimes cause us to recall incorrect details (Trafimow & Wyer, 1993).

n When encountering events consistent with personal scripts, those events are not copied to memory, but rather we rely on simplified representations of these events (Trafimow & Wyer, 1993). n Relying on simplified representations of events may cause us to recall material that we were not presented with (Trafimow & Wyer, 1993).

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

Variables n Independent variable: Induced impression from a short reading. Impression formation vs no impression formation n Dependent variable: Accuracy of memory recall

Methodology n Randomly assign subjects to either impression-formation or control group n Present each subject with a short paragraph n Distract participants with a short “filler” test n Test for recall accuracy using a true/false test which tested both script related and non-script related material

Analyzing Data n Recall tests were individually scored for # of incorrect answers in both script- related and non-script related sections. n Means and standard deviations for each group were calculated, including both script related and non-script related scores. n Differences between data were investigated using independent t-tests.

Results for script-related questions n Control: M=0.00, SD=0 n Impression Formation: M=1.67, SD=1.50 n Independent t-test: t(14)=-4.32, p<.01 n t-test supports hypothesis that subjects in impression formation group would be less accurate in recalling script related material.

Results for non-script related questions n Control: M=0.60, SD=0.74 n Impression Formation: M=0.60, SD=0.83 n Independent t-test: t(28)=0.00, p=1 n subjects in both control and impression formation group scored equally on questions unrelated to scripts.

Discussion n Independent t-tests showed no differences in performance on non- script related questions, yet showed a significant difference between performances on script-related questions (control performed much more accurately). n Likely that this difference can be attributed to script-related interference

Discussion n Subjects in impression formation group had a script activated by the use of the word restaurant n This script activation caused the subjects to think about all of their expectations regarding restaurant behavior, waitresses, etc (Read & Cesa, 1991). n The activated thoughts are difficult to distinguish from actual events in the story (Trafimow & Wyer, 1993).

Discussion n Because of difficulties distinguishing material, subjects sometimes recall material that they were not presented with (Trafimow & Wyer, 1993). n This phenomenon is known as script- related interference.

Possible improvements n Longer story with more questions n More quiet/less distracting setting (problems with recall may have been related to outside noise distraction) n Larger test group to ensure that subject variables are kept to a minimum.

Future Research n Examine closely which questions were answered wrong most often to determine which events are most closely tied to our cognitive scripts n Somehow test children who have not yet formed highly developed scripts and compare the results to tests of adults who have highly developed scripts (could also compare between different cultures, which would have different scripts)