The Effect of Lying on Memory and Metamemory When Deception Is Repeated and Volitional

People tend to predict they will remember truths better than lies, yet some findings suggest that lies may actually be better remembered. Here, we assessed differences in memory predictions and performance when participants provided lies and truths about simple actions in the form of denials or descriptions that are repeated (Experiment 1; n = 36), and whether choosing to lie has an effect (Experiment 2; n = 129). Truthful rehearsal led to higher rates of accurate recognition, whereas lying led to increased false recognition of an action as performed. Memory predictions varied based on the type of lie told; however, truthful statements were predicted to be better remembered overall. Source accuracy was also higher for truthfully rehearsed actions, especially when truthfully described. Volition did not affect either metamemory performance or actual memory performance, suggesting that the act of lying itself has a detrimental effect on memory for what truthfully occurred.