Honors Theses
Date of Award
2017
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Matthew Reysen
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
The aim of this study is to determine if gossip-related information produces higher memory retention rates than scientific information. Participants completed a two-part survey. During the first part of the survey, participants read nine paragraphs, separated into three categories. Three were scientific, three were non-celebrity gossip, and three were celebrity gossip. After reading each article, participants rated each on a scale of 1-10 based on both personal relevance and how interesting they found each article. After a week delay, participants completed a multiple-choice memory test about the articles read the week before. The study found that while scientific articles were rated as the most relevant to participants' lives and there was no significant difference in interest levels among each type of article, celebrity gossip was remembered at higher rates than either other type of information.
Recommended Citation
Rogers, Hannah R., "Memory Retention Rates of Gossip-Related Information" (2017). Honors Theses. 373.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/373
Accessibility Status
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