False memories lack perceptual detail: Evidence from implicit word-stem completion and perceptual identification tests

We used implicit measures of memory to ascertain whether false memories for critical nonpresented items in the DRM paradigm (Deese, 1959, Roediger and McDermott, 1995) contain structural and perceptual detail. In Experiment 1, we manipulated presentation modality in a visual word-stem-completion task. Critical item priming was significant and unaffected by modality. In contrast, priming of critical items was absent in a perceptual identification test when only DRM list items were studied (Experiment 2A), whereas priming was found when critical items were studied (Experiment 2B). Standard modality effects were present for list items in each experiment and for critical items in Experiment 2B. We conclude that: (a) false memories do not inherently contain structural and perceptual information and (b) past reports of critical item priming relied on implicit tests more prone to conceptual activation.