Date Presented

Spring 4-2012

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Bianca Sumutka

Second Advisor

Dr. Virginia Cylke

Third Advisor

Dr. Kate Gray

Abstract

This study was a series of three experiments which examined the effects of gender stereotypes on the creation of false-memories. Participants were undergraduate students who viewed a short one-scene video depicting a couple on a date. The video featured a man and a woman displaying a mixture of typical, atypical, or a combination of both gender stereotypical behaviors. Following the video, participants completed a quiz to determine whether they created false memories consistent with gender stereotypes. Participants completed an attitudinal scale to gauge their views on gender stereotypes. It was hypothesized that participants would create stereotype- consistent false memories and that memories would be altered to be stereotype-consistent with the behavior of the man than with the behavior of the woman. This hypothesis was partially supported by the data. Participants were more likely to create stereotype-consistent false memories when quizzed about the men’s atypical behavior.

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