Half Empty? Half Full? Positively-Worded Items Yield Most Accurate Memory Self-Efficacy Assessments

We compared how younger and older adults’ self-reported memory self-efficacy responded to item framing. Neutral wording yielded the highest memory self-efficacy estimates, but positive wording yielded the most accurate self-reports, regardless of age. Thus, positively-worded items may be the best approach to use when assessing individuals’ subjective memory abilities.