A research study found that people who look at real visual images and then are asked to simply imagine looking at visual images

• A. are typically able later to distinguish between the images they had really seen and the imagined images.
• B. are often unable to remember any of the images.
• C. are often unable later to distinguish between the images they had really seen and the imagined images.
• D. often remember only some of the images.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of source monitoring, which is the process of determining the origins of our memories, knowledge, or beliefs.
2. Recognize that the problem is related to the difficulty in distinguishing between real and imagined events, a common issue in source monitoring.
3. Consider the role of memory encoding and retrieval processes, which can be influenced by the vividness and detail of imagined images, making them seem real.
4. Acknowledge that cognitive psychology research suggests that imagined events can sometimes be encoded in memory with similar characteristics to real events, leading to confusion.
5. Reflect on the implications of this phenomenon for understanding memory errors and the reliability of eyewitness testimony, as it highlights the challenges in accurately recalling the source of a memory.