PhD position: Memory representations underlying repetition-induced perceived truth (M/F)

Job Description

Thesis Subject

With widespread access to the Internet and social media, large-scale exposure to true, false, and misleading information has become common. The PhD project will focus on repetition-induced perceived truth (i.e., the “truth effect”), whether it concerns trivial or problematic information. The project is part of the ANR-funded project “REPETI” (Repetition-induced Perceived Truth of (mis)Information).

The truth effect has mainly been studied using trivia statements repeated word-for-word under the assumption that repetition increases processing fluency. Moving beyond this classical approach, REPETI aims to better understand the memory representations underlying the effects of both word-for-word repetition and thematic repetition (e.g., through paraphrases) on the perceived truth of information, including false information that may have significant societal implications if believed (e.g., regarding health or democracy), such as conspiracy theories.

Through a series of experiments, the PhD project will first investigate whether thematic and word-for-word repetition differentially influence perceived truth for both trivia and conspiracy statements. In a second step, the project will examine whether retrieving verbatim (literal) and gist (meaning-based) memory representations contributes to these effects, using an original experimental procedure and multinomial processing tree models.

The successful candidate will:

- Review the literature on the truth effect and on explanatory cognitive models, whether they have already been widely applied to the study of the truth effect (e.g., processing fluency) or not (e.g., Fuzzy-Trace Theory; dual-process models)
- Design, preregister, and implement experiments, including the development and validation of experimental materials and of a new task to collect both truth judgments and memory responses
- Analyze the collected data (preprocessing; descriptive and inferential analyses; modeling of the cognitive processes underlying responses)
- Communicate the results in writing and orally, in both French and English.

Your Work Environment

The successful candidate will work under the supervision of Jérémy Béna (memory, beliefs, and evaluations; multinomial processing tree models) and Fabrice Guillaume (memory models; psychophysical approaches to cognition) at the Centre de Recherche en Psychologie et Neurosciences (CNRS, UMR 7077) in Marseille, France.

The candidate will interact regularly with other members of the project based at the CLLE laboratory (University of Toulouse), UCLouvain, and the University of Fribourg.

The PhD position is fully funded for three years. The starting date is flexible, but no later than November 2026.

Constraints and risks

Applicants must:

- Hold a Master's degree in Psychology or a related discipline, preferably in experimental psychology focusing on cognition or social cognition
- Have training in statistics and an interest in learning new methods and tools (e.g., Bayesian statistics; equivalence testing)
- Have a strong interest in experimentation and in modeling responses using formal models (e.g., Multinomial Processing Tree models)
- Be interested in fundamental psychological phenomena that have potential societal implications (e.g., dissemination of and belief in misinformation)
- Have a good command of written and spoken English (at least B2 level)

The following interests, experiences, and skills will be considered assets:

- Previous experience conducting experimental research involving human participants (whether online or in the lab)
- Previous experience analyzing quantitative data
- An interest in open science practices, and possibly prior experience implementing such practices
- Skills and knowledge related to programming experimental tasks (e.g., OpenSesame, lab.js, jsPsych, Qualtrics)
- Skills and knowledge related to data analysis with tools such as R/RStudio, JASP, or jamovi.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

2300 € gross monthly

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

CNRS

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