Abstract:

The social contagion effect of memory occurs when individuals integrate erroneous information output by others into their own memories through interpersonal interactions, resulting in memory distortion of original information. Existing research has explored factors influencing social contagion of memory at the interpersonal level but tends to treat information receivers and senders as independent units in interactions. However, since the social contagion effect of memory originates from social interaction contexts, it is essential to consider factors related to the interaction between senders and receivers. Human interactions involve more than simple information transmission; individual behaviors often emerge as co-constructed outcomes with other members in social contexts. Research has shown that when misinformation is generated by the sender in advance and then presented to the participant, rather than emerging through real-time interaction, individuals are less likely to align their responses with those of the sender. Only during real-time interactions do receivers' answers tend to align more with post-event information. This is because during interaction, group members evaluate each other’s mental states and intentions, and dynamically adjust their cognition and behavior according to social norms. Therefore, it is necessary to focus on the dynamic characteristics of sender-receiver interactions, and to examine how these interactions in group settings influence the receiver’s memory distortion after the interaction ends—that is, to explore the social contagion of memory from the perspective of interaction dynamics.

Interaction patterns are a fundamental form of interactive dynamics. As a crucial component of social interactions, they significantly influence group members' behaviors and attitudes. Different interpersonal interaction patterns generate varying degrees of social pressure, consequently inducing different levels of “deindividuation” during interactions - a manifestation of normative influence. Specifically, in turn-taking interactions where participants recall information sequentially without communication, social pressure remains relatively low. In free interactions where participants discuss any member's recalled information until consensus is reached, greater social pressure emerges, including maintaining self or other’s esteem, avoiding conflict, adhering to group norms, and promoting group harmony. As a result, information receivers’ attitudes toward misinformation are not solely based on their own memory but are also influenced by group goals and norms. They may selectively output or modify their information. In such interaction patterns, individuals are more likely to suppress their own ideas under normative influence and accept others' erroneous information, exhibiting greater deindividuation. Conversely, in turn-taking interactions where individuals only receive information without providing feedback, social factors (e.g., maintaining group harmony) become significantly less influential, enabling relatively independent information processing based on genuine personal perceptions.

Previous research attributed false memories to “implantation” through undetected misinformation during interactions. This study emphasizes that “deindividuation” involves conscious recognition yet deliberate acceptance of others' erroneous information - an intentional and voluntary choice. However, it remains unclear whether deindividuation responses during interactions distort individuals' original memories. Reference to deception-memory studies indirectly suggests that active modification of original information may not only temporarily exist during interactions but could further distort subsequent personal recall. Thus, deindividuation responses may not merely serve as participants' “expedient measures” during interactions but could alter original correct memories. This indicates that the social contagion effect relates not only to senders' outputs but also significantly to receivers' “active compromise”. Although misinformation is initially introduced by others, its ultimate integration into personal memory results from individuals' active approval during interactions rather than unconscious “implantation” by misinformation.

Key words: false memory, social contagion effect, interaction dynamic, deindividuation, interaction pattern