The autobiographical IAT: a new technique for memory detection
Year: 2009
Type: dissertation
Abstract: The autobiographical IAT (aIAT) is a new technique of memory detection that can be used to identify which of two autobiographical events is true. The technique is based on a classification task. Participants have to classify items in four different categories using only two motor responses. The underlying assumption is that the condition in which two associated concepts require the same motor response (congruent block) reaction times will be faster than the condition where the two associated concepts require two different motor responses (incongruent block). The practical applications of this technique to the forensic field are straightforward. Six validation studies have been run (Chapter 2). In all the six experiments the true autobiographical event has been identified on the basis of the pattern of reaction times (RTs) in fact the congruent block show faster RTs than the incongruent block. It has also been shown that coached participants can successfully fake the aIAT, but faking can be detected on the basis of a specific pattern of reaction times (Chapter 3). The accuracy and validity of the aIAT has been evaluated further and I showed that to enhance the validity of the instrument is necessary to be cautious in using sentences to describe autobiographical events (Chapter 4). Finally, it has been shown that the aIAT can be applied to the identification of intentions, other than autobiographical events (Chapter 5). The application of the aIAT to the intention detection has been investigated also with Event Related Potentials (ERPs). Results showed a reduced Late Positive Component (LPC) for the incongruent block in respect to the congruent one. The LPC has been shown to be related to the cognitive control indicating here a stronger cognitive control during the incongruent than the congruent block. In sum, the aIAT has been shown to be a reliable method that can be used to identify an autobiographical event or a future intention.
Author: Sara Agosta
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3760687