Despite the numerous research studies published on false memory creation, there has not been a study that has specifically evaluated the prevalence of false memories by asking people about their own experiences with false memory production. Studies that have used participants who reported false memory presence have often been recruited through the False Memory Foundation, a group that is potentially biased. This study was conducted in order to assess the prevalence rate for false memories in a non-clinical sample and to examine possible risk factors that might lead to false memory development.;In order to carry out this study, 200 participants were recruited from community colleges in San Diego County. Each participant completed a Memory Questionnaire to assess for false memory presence, recovered memory presence, trauma, and anomalous experiences. Of those 200 participants, 50 were randomly selected for Phase II in order to test the relationship between false memory or recovered memory and executive functioning, memory intrusion, and dissociation.;This study found that 12 percent of participants had experienced a false memory and 135 percent of participants had experienced a recovered memory. These percentages were relatively low in comparison to other studies. Moreover, risk factors such as dissociation, executive functioning, and memory intrusion were unrelated to the false and recovered memory experience. However, lower executive functioning was shown to be a risk factor for both PTSD and anomalous experiences.
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