ABSTRACT
Questions containing misleading presuppositions can alter memory, either by replacing old information or by introducing new information. In this chapter we turn to an analysis of this phenomenon in the context of narrative comprehension and representation. We argue first that question comprehension and information retrieval are not separate stages of processing, but rather two facets of the same integrated mechanism. We suggest that memory modification is an integral part of normal comprehension because it is always necessary to correct erroneous inferences and otherwise alter unfulfilled expectations that are generated during understanding. Next we present experimental results that explore the modifiability of representationally different kinds of information, actions versus states, and that show memory modification by inferential processes. Because of their central role in narrative representations, actions were shown to be harder to modify than states. However, because inferential processes operate primarily among connected actions, modification of actions by inference was more likely than modification of states. Finally, we suggest a new way to approach the issue of memory modification by detailing some representational issues revealed by a few 192items used in our experiments. In this last section we will specify some general computational difficulties that are encountered when detailed representations are being considered.
