Date of Award

December 2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

John P. Legerski

Abstract

False memory research has been an evident topic in various fields of psychological study. Research in this area has important implications in forensic contexts and clinical settings as false memories can result in an array of harmful consequences. To explain individual differences in susceptibility to endorsing false memories of the rare medical procedure known as the voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG), the current study extended the findings of Herndon and colleagues (2014). It also examined predictor variables from attachment theory (such as attachment anxiety and avoidance), depressive symptomatology, compliance levels (e.g., use of confederates), and the impact of guided imagery (i.e., a false memory technique). Primarily analyses revealed that when participants were placed with confederates, 80% of participants endorsed unique details related to the suggested memory event. In the control condition, 71% of participants also endorsed details related to the suggested memory event. A binary logistic regression was conducted and found to be statistically significant, X2 (9, N=109) = 18.37, p= .003. Main effects of depressive symptomology (p = .022), group assignment (p< .001), and interactions effects of attachment avoidance (p= .007) and group (p= .022) on our dependent variable (i.e., memory endorsement) were also found to be statistically significant. Predictor variables of level of compliance and attachment anxiety produced no statistically significant differences in our sample. Conclusions of this study suggest that individuals are highly susceptible to endorsing details about false memories. Therefore, preventing false memory endorsement must be of critical importance in various contexts of psychological research and treatment.

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