In an important study, subjects spent a brief time in a professor's office and then were given a surprise test about this experience. Which of the following happened to the subjects in the study?
A) They forgot some of the things they had seen in the office, but did not claim to have seen things that were not there.
B) They reported having seen books in the office, even though there were no books.
C) They were surprisingly accurate about the full contents of the office, even though they were unprepared for the test.
D) They correctly remembered that there were no books in the office, but a day later, they mistakenly claimed that there were books.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

DThe study in question likely refers to research on false memories or the suggestibility of memory. Participants often incorporate misinformation or stereotypes (e.g., the expectation of books in a professor's office) into their recollections. Both choices B and D illustrate this phenomenon: B shows how participants reported seeing books that weren't there, and D shows how their memories changed over time to include books, reflecting the common stereotype of what is found in a professor's office.

In an Important Study, Subjects Spent a Brief Time in a Professor's