Introduction
False memory refers to the array of information that can appear in people’s minds even though it was not there. Thus, people often think that they remember events that never actually happened. Some scientists argue that people with depression are more prone to experiencing such false memories than healthy people (Joormann et al., 2009). However, scientific topics in this subject continue to evolve through the introduction of new theoretical assumptions. Some scholars offer an alternative perspective to Joormann et al.’s (2009) view. In this regard, it is required to study the topic in detail by comparing the scientific developments of several scientists.
Joormann et al. on Role of Depression to Formation of False Memories
A depressed state of people can cause many diseases and disorders, as the psychological state of a person is constantly deteriorating. In their work, Joormann et al. (2009) examine how susceptible people with depression are to forming false memories of negative experiences. The authors conducted multiple experiments to elucidate this phenomenon and came to certain conclusions. People with depression were more likely to remember evil deeds or negative words that did not occur (Joormann et al., 2009).
Thus, scientists revealed that such effects appear only in people with a depressive disorder. This means that people with this disorder are more susceptible to negative experiences and, as a result, tend to remember them more vividly. As a result, they may have subconscious images of past events they believe happened to them. However, such memories do not form on their own, as they often become the embodiment of self-referential thoughts about negative images.
Opposite View by Semkovska et al.
However, some studies suggest that such formation of false negative memories is not associated with depression. Semkovska et al. (2019) conducted a meta-analysis to investigate how depression affects human thought, memory accuracy, and cognitive function. Thus, scientists found evidence that people with depression can actually experience memory problems, and their cognitive functions are significantly reduced compared to healthy subjects (Semkovska et al., 2019). However, unlike the study by Joormann et al. in this article, the authors concluded that people do not tend to form false memories from negative emotional stimuli. Although depression can significantly impact memory function, it does not necessarily lead to the formation of false memories.
Depression can impair memory and affect how people perceive certain moments. Semkovska et al. (2019) analyzed 70 studies on depression and memory with 4346 participants. This large sample allowed us to determine and accurately indicate that cognitive deficits in people with depression are not limited to specific areas.
Several cognitive processes, such as executive function, memory, and attention, may be affected by depression (Semkovska et al., 2019). At the same time, the functions of these abilities directly varied depending on the level of development of depression. In this context, a distinguishing feature from the study by Joormann et al. is that Semkovska et al. (2019) believe that the formation of false memories and cognitive deficits are not the predominant dysfunctions that manifest due to depression. Through these aspects, the selected article supports the opposing point of view and defends the conclusion that depression does not significantly influence the formation of false memories.
Analysis of Biases in Both Studies
Both reviewed articles contain biases that need to be considered to form a complete picture of the results. For example, Joormann et al. (2009) conducted their study on a relatively small sample of 24 healthy people and 24 with depression. The authors acknowledge that these limitations are a disadvantage and suggest that further developments should continue to explore this topic.
In addition, another error in logic is the use of a word-list learning paradigm, which limits the study because it does not apply to other types of memory tasks. On the other hand, an example of an error in research conducted by Semkovska et al. (2019) is a meta-analysis that used a much larger sample but fell into the heterogeneity and quality fallacy. Standardized estimates should be used to eliminate this error, and more longitudinal studies should be included.
Reading the opposition article significantly influenced my views and, to some extent, changed them as the researchers conducted a broader analysis of the topic under study. Joormann et al. (2009) draw their conclusions from a relatively small sample, which significantly reduces the plausibility of their findings. At the same time, Semkovska et al. (2019) analyzed a broader body of scientific literature, which allowed them to conclude that the effect of depression on false memories is not as extensive as another study suggests. Thus, reading the opposite article expanded my knowledge on this topic and my understanding of which areas of life are affected by depression.
Importance of Critical Thinking in Scholar Reviews
Applying critical thinking when reading scientific articles and psychological research can help evaluate the validity of the material. To do this, it is necessary to correctly analyze the methods used, the sample sizes, and the areas they affected. Additionally, it is crucial to identify systematic errors in studies. People can more accurately assess the reliability of data in academic publications by employing critical thinking tools, such as logical and evidence-based reasoning (Power et al., 2019). This will help to identify more accurate results based on the data presented in the papers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is essential to note that reviewing all aspects of the articles under study from a critical perspective can more effectively highlight key data. Research on the effect of depression on the emergence of false memories is essential for medicine. Therefore, it is essential to thoroughly understand the objectivity of the study’s results. An analysis of the methods used in the articles can help to better understand how accurate the results revealed by scientists are. In this regard, opposing viewpoints are essential when considering any topic.
References
Joormann, J., Teachman, B. A., & Gotlib, I. H. (2009). Sadder and less accurate? False memory for negative material in depression. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 118(2), 412-417.
Semkovska, M., Quinlivan, L., O’Grady, T., Johnson, R., Collins, A., O’Connor, J., Knittle, H., Ahern, E. & Gload, T. (2019). Cognitive function following a major depressive episode: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Psychiatry, 6(10), 851-861.
Power, D. J., Cyphert, D., & Roth, R. M. (2019). Analytics, bias, and evidence: The quest for rational decision making. Journal of Decision Systems, 28(2), 120-137.