Question 21

A person recalls surfing on their last family vacation because their parents repeatedly say that they have surfed on every family vacation.

This scenario illustrates the illusory truth effect, where repeated statements can influence an individual's memory and beliefs. The person's recall of surfing is directly shaped by the frequent assertions made by their parents, highlighting how repetition can lead to the acceptance of false memories as true.

A) A person recalls surfing on their last family vacation because their parents repeatedly say that they have surfed on every family vacation.

This option is correct as it clearly demonstrates the illusory truth effect. The individual’s memory of surfing is not based on a true event but rather on the repeated suggestions from their parents, showing how the repetition of misinformation can alter long-term memory retrieval.

B) A person recalls the sights and sounds of an anniversary dinner after smelling the same dishes they ate that night.

This option is incorrect because it illustrates the process of sensory recall rather than the illusory truth effect. The memory is triggered by sensory cues (smells), which is a typical mechanism of memory retrieval and does not involve the influence of repeated false statements.

C) A person recalls the sights, sounds, and feeling of their graduation after hearing a song from it.

This option is also incorrect as it involves a cue-triggered memory recall associated with a specific event. The recall of graduation memories is tied to an emotional and sensory connection rather than being influenced by repeated misinformation.

D) A person recalls a narrator's voice when hearing about a new smartphone when hearing about new tech releases in computer class.

This option is incorrect because it does not exemplify the illusory truth effect. The recall of the narrator's voice is related to the context of learning about technology rather than being influenced by repetition of false information, which is essential for the illusory truth effect.

Conclusion

The correct answer, option A, effectively illustrates the illusory truth effect by showing how repeated assertions can create or modify memories. The other options focus on different aspects of memory retrieval that do not involve the influence of repetition on long-term memory, thereby failing to demonstrate the concept being tested.