How context changes the retrieval dynamics of a source

Abstract

Two experiments used a response signal methodology to explore the time-course of source-monitoring judgments. The basic thesis being investigated was that the revival rate of source information for a particular source would depend on the characteristics of a competing source. Both experiments tested a common source that was paired with either a dissimilar or similar competing source. Experiment 1 used a common perceptual source (i.e., seen) and revealed no advantage for additional revival time when paired with another perceptual source. However, source-monitoring performance did improve at later deadlines when the seen source was paired with an internal source. In Experiment 2, the source attributions for the common source (i.e., imagined) improved with additional time available for the revival of qualitative information, and did not depend on the competing source. The results suggest that the revival rate of source information is dependent on the context in which it is tested.