Misinformation modality and its effects on memory
Abstract
Eyewitness testimonies are often regarded as one of the most compelling pieces of evidence in court cases, though research has shown that subjects' memories can be easily and unintentionally manipulated. In this study, we manipulated misinformation modality (narrative, direct interview, indirect interview) and misinformation type (contradictory, additive) to measure how these variables affected misinformation acceptance. The misinformation paradigm was used: participants saw an event, received post-event information, and took a recognition test featuring forced choice questions, confidence scales, and open-ended response questions. Those in the direct interview modality group accepted less misinformation than the indirect group and narrative group. There were mixed results between item types (additive, contradictory, control). These findings could have an impact on the legal system and how witnesses are questioned, both directly after a crime and during court appearances.
Citation
Stoll, E. M. (2021, April). Misinformation modality and its effects on memory. Research presented at the Oklahoma State University Wentz Research Scholars Symposium, Stillwater, OK.