Psychology
Is Your Memory “Good?” or “Bad?” The Effect of Item Framing on Accuracy of Memory Self-Reports
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Subject Area
Psychology
Start Date
13-4-2018 9:30 AM
End Date
13-4-2018 10:15 AM
Sponsor
Tara Lineweaver (Butler University)
Description
Results from past research indicate that item framing on Memory Self-Efficacy (MSE) questionnaires may influence young adults’ self-reported memory self-perceptions (Lineweaver & Brolsma, 2014). In this past study, young adults rated their memory more harshly on positively- than on negatively- or neutrally-worded questionnaire items, and responses to negatively-worded MSE items best captured actual memory abilities. We conducted the current study to build on this prior research by comparing younger and older adults’ responses to changes in item framing on an MSE questionnaire. We anticipated that older adults would be more vulnerable to changes in question wording than young adults. 45 Butler University undergraduates and 53 community dwelling older adults participated in this study. Participants completed a series of questionnaires, including a memory self-efficacy questionnaire with items worded in a positive, neutral, or negative manner. Each participant also took a short memory test. Contrary to our hypothesis, our results demonstrate that older adults are not any more vulnerable to framing effects than young adults when providing reports of their own memory abilities. Although neutral wording resulted in the highest memory self-efficacy estimates, positive wording yielded the only reports that significantly correlated with actual memory abilities. As such, positively-worded items may be the best approach for assessments looking to most accurately capture an individual’s actual memory, regardless of age.
Is Your Memory “Good?” or “Bad?” The Effect of Item Framing on Accuracy of Memory Self-Reports
Indianapolis, IN
Results from past research indicate that item framing on Memory Self-Efficacy (MSE) questionnaires may influence young adults’ self-reported memory self-perceptions (Lineweaver & Brolsma, 2014). In this past study, young adults rated their memory more harshly on positively- than on negatively- or neutrally-worded questionnaire items, and responses to negatively-worded MSE items best captured actual memory abilities. We conducted the current study to build on this prior research by comparing younger and older adults’ responses to changes in item framing on an MSE questionnaire. We anticipated that older adults would be more vulnerable to changes in question wording than young adults. 45 Butler University undergraduates and 53 community dwelling older adults participated in this study. Participants completed a series of questionnaires, including a memory self-efficacy questionnaire with items worded in a positive, neutral, or negative manner. Each participant also took a short memory test. Contrary to our hypothesis, our results demonstrate that older adults are not any more vulnerable to framing effects than young adults when providing reports of their own memory abilities. Although neutral wording resulted in the highest memory self-efficacy estimates, positive wording yielded the only reports that significantly correlated with actual memory abilities. As such, positively-worded items may be the best approach for assessments looking to most accurately capture an individual’s actual memory, regardless of age.