A method for measuring recognition memory (free of distractors) and false recognition was based on the assumption that the subject was "honest." A distractor-free test of word recognition (a single-item test trial in which the 36 targets were presented prior to the 36 distractors) was compared with a traditional target-distractor discrimination test (a single-item test trial in which an equal number of targets and distractors were randomly ordered). The study results indicated that tests of recognition memory do not require distractors. Data suggested distractors may have encouraged "dishonesty" rather than prevented it. The observation was made that the number of false recognitions under the target distractor discrimination test was greater than that under the target-free test. The results of the present study were compared to a previous study conducted by Wallace, Sawyer, and Robertson (1978). The populations of words from which the test items were chosen differed. The earlier experiment was based on individual testing procedures, while the current study was a group testing procedure. (DWH)