Welcome to the Memory and Cognition (M.A.C.) Research Lab at Ball State University!
Background Information:
The M.A.C. Research Lab, led by Dr. Mackenzie Riggenbach from the Department of Psychological Science at Ball State University, focuses on human cognition, with a particular emphasis on memory. As a cognitive psychologist, Dr. Riggenbach’s research examines the formation of false memories, especially in the applied context of interviewing eyewitnesses. Her specific interests include: 1) the various ways in which memory can be impacted when exposed to information following a witnessed event, 2) the interview methods used during witness interviews, 3) the effects of these methods on the amount of information reported, and 4) the accuracy of the information provided by witnesses.
Dr. Riggenbach also uses mathematical modeling techniques to explain the formation of false memories. She implements these techniques to examine the hypotheses proposed to explain false memory formation. Here, the M.A.C. Research Lab focuses on disentangling the effects of misleading post-event information to subsequently explain and predict false memory formation.
Real-World Applications:
In Dr. Riggenbach’s line of research, one of the most important aspects to consider when someone provides a memory report or an account of an event is not only how much (or how many details are reported) but how accurate those details are. The M.A.C. Research Lab investigates different interviewing techniques to explain the difference in the number of details reported versus the overall accuracy. The aim is to identify which interview techniques or question types lead to the most accurate witness reports.
Contact Information
M.A.C. Research Lab
Department of Psychological Science
North Quad 074
Ball State University
765-285-8591
Mackenzie R. Riggenbach, Ph.D.
Department of Psychological Science
North Quad 130
Ball State University
mackenzie.riggenbach@bsu.edu
765-285-8591