Abstract
Memory conformity refers to the phenomenon in which memory reports from one person are modified by memory reports from another person. The study of memory conformity is important both in basic and applied settings, especially when the stimuli are emotionally-laden. Research on memory conformity for emotional stimuli, however, is surprisingly scarce. Here we briefly review research on memory conformity in recognition tasks and assess the modulatory role of emotionality on conformity effects. We also propose further research based on the manipulation of two variables, retention interval and stimulus distinctiveness, that could help to reconcile the discrepant findings in the literature.
Keywords:
recognition memory; memory conformity; emotion; retention interval; distinctiveness