Understanding differences in conversational memory: a comparison of close friends and strangers

This thesis seeks to examine the processes of conversational memory after interactions with strangers and close others. Several studies have considered conversational memory, but this thesis seeks to extend research into several new realms. In particular, the type of interaction (concordant or discordant) is considered, as well as the type of relationship (close friend or stranger). Participants in this study were one hundred and forty-four dyads. Respondents completed all procedures with a close friend and a stranger and were alternately assigned to conditions in which they either had a discordant interaction or concordant interaction for five minutes. After the conversation, participants were asked to recall as much information as they could about the conversation. Results indicated that strangers recall proportionately more of a conversation than close friends. There was not a significant difference between the amount of recall following a concordant conversation as compared to a discordant conversation.