The Effect of Levels-of-proessing (Deep and Surface) on Recall, Recognition and False Memory in Students of Different Academic Fields

Studies have shown that the levels-of-pocessing may differentially affect recall، recognition and false memory. This study was mainly designed to investigate the effect of levels-of-processing on recall، recognition and false memory in students of different academic fields. The current study was a pilot experimental research of pre- and post-test design carried out in a single study group. With regard to the statistical analysis، factor analysis variance was employed to assess the effect of task type within groups as well as the effect of field type and study approach between groups. Through convenience sampling method، this study enrolled 100 bachelor and master students of psychology، law، electrical engineering and computer at Shahid Beheshti University. The assessment tools which were used in this study included: 1- the utility of false memory (DRM Paradigm)، measuring the rate of false memory، recall and recognition of individuals، and 2- the revised two-factor study process questionnaire (R-SPQ-2 F) developed byBiggs، Kember& Leung،2001. Data was analyzed using mixed analysis of variance. Our analysis revealed that the rate of recall and recognition was higher in surface- as compared to deep task. Meanwhile، the rate of individuals’ false memory was higher in deep- as compared to the surface task. In addition، mixed analysis of variance demonstrated that in between group effect recall، the field was a significant determinant whereas the individuals’ approach to the study was the significant factor affecting false memory. Therefore، the individuals’ deep approach to study resulted in higher rate of false memory. Both task types including deep and surface tasks and the individuals approach to the study (deep and surface approaches) is shown to potentially affect recall، recognition، and false memory.