Psychology MCAT Practice Exam

What phenomenon describes the error in recalling a memory by attributing it to the wrong source?

1. Confabulation

2. Spreading activation

3. Source monitoring error

4. Memory distortion

The correct answer is: Source monitoring error

The phenomenon that best describes the error in recalling a memory by attributing it to the wrong source is source monitoring error. This occurs when an individual has a memory for an event but fails to accurately remember where that information came from, leading to confusion about the origin of the memory. It can happen when a person mixes up details from different events or mistakenly attributes a memory to the wrong time, place, or person. For example, someone might recall a conversation they had, but later mistakenly believe they had it with a different person rather than the actual individual involved. Source monitoring errors highlight the importance of how we process and retrieve memories, indicating that memory is not always a perfect reflection of past experiences, but rather can be influenced by various factors, including present context and interactions. This understanding distinguishes source monitoring errors from other concepts such as confabulation, which involves the creation of false memories without the intention to deceive, and memory distortion, which generally refers to the alteration of a memory's content over time. Spreading activation relates to the way concepts in memory are interconnected, influencing how we retrieve information but not specifically addressing the source attribution error.