Soutenance de thèse Fabien Carreras - 23 octobre 2025

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The value of the information is high, as it presents original research that bridges two important fields: autobiographical memory and metacognition. The argumentation is solid, with a clear logical progression from theoretical background to experimental design, results, and interpretation. The speaker carefully explains the rationale behind each experiment and acknowledges limitations. The use of multiple experiments to test competing hypotheses strengthens the overall argument.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The scientific rigor is evident in the careful experimental design, use of appropriate statistical analyses, and cautious interpretation of results. The sources cited are relevant and include foundational works in the field, such as the Self-Memory System model and the Feeling of Knowing paradigm. The title accurately reflects the content of the thesis. The presentation is well-structured and clear, though the technical level may be challenging for a general audience.

The title accurately reflects the content, focusing on the feeling of retrieval in autobiographical memory and its exploration in younger and older adults.

8/10

The thesis defense presents original experimental research with a clear methodology, statistical analyses, and a theoretical framework grounded in established models. The presentation is rigorous, and the results are interpreted cautiously. The quality is high, though the video is a recording of a defense, which may limit the depth of detail compared to a published paper.

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

• 00:00Introduction and thanks to the examination board.
• 02:00Introduction to the topic with examples of déjà vu and familiarity.
• 05:00Explanation of autobiographical memory and the Self-Memory System model.
• 10:00Discussion of metacognition and the Feeling of Knowing paradigm.
• 15:00Presentation of the Feeling of Retrieval procedure and first experiments.
• 20:00Results of experiments 4.1 and 4.2 showing accurate metacognitive judgments.
• 25:00Investigation of underlying mechanisms: retrieval, cue efficiency, and familiarity.
• 30:00Experiments testing the role of familiarity and partial retrieval.
• 35:00Studies on aging and metacognitive abilities in autobiographical memory.
• 40:00Conclusion and implications for cognitive psychology.

• Self-Memory System model — Theoretical framework for autobiographical memory.
• Feeling of Knowing paradigm — Procedure used to assess metacognitive judgments.
• Conway & Pleydell-Pearce (2000) — Reference for the Self-Memory System model.
• Gilboa & Moscovitch (2017) — Discussion of metacognition in false memories.
• Mazzoni & Kirsch (2002) — Framework for memory reporting decisions.

• Conway, M. A., & Pleydell-Pearce, C. W. (2000). The construction of autobiographical memories in the self-memory system. — Theoretical basis for the Self-Memory System model.
• Koriat, A. (2000). The feeling of knowing: Some metatheoretical implications for consciousness and control. — Discussion of the feeling of knowing and its role in metacognition.