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Collecting initial accounts using ChatCharlie chatbot improves eyewitness memory in later investigative interviews
Coral J Dando1, Charlotte E Adam2
1Department of Psychology, University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish Street, London, W1W 6UW, UK. c.dando@westminster.ac.uk.
Scientific Reports
|March 20, 2025
Summary
A quick initial account interview (IAi) shortly after an event, whether in person or via chatbot, significantly improves eyewitness recall in later interviews. This digital approach enhances memory accuracy and completeness without increasing errors.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Eyewitness Memory Research
Background:
- Initial account interviews (IAi) provide early opportunities for eyewitnesses to recall event details before formal interviews.
- Existing research lacks data on the benefits and drawbacks of brief IAis.
- There's a need for remote IAi methods when in-person interviews are not feasible.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of a brief, early IAi on subsequent memory recall in a formal interview setting.
- To compare the effectiveness of in-person IAi versus a chatbot-delivered IAi.
- To assess the potential of digital agents as an alternative for conducting IAis.
Main Methods:
- A mock-witness study was conducted with adult participants.
- Participants underwent an in-person IAi, a ChatCharlie chatbot IAi, or no IAi (control) 10 minutes post-event.
- Memory performance was evaluated in a formal in-person interview one week later.
Main Results:
- Both in-person and chatbot IAi groups showed significantly improved event recall compared to the control group.
- Accounts from IAi participants were more accurate and complete.
- No increase in memory errors was observed in the IAi groups.
Conclusions:
- Brief initial account interviews, including those delivered via chatbot, enhance eyewitness memory accuracy and completeness.
- Digital agents like chatbots offer a viable alternative for conducting IAis, especially when in-person interviews are not possible.
- Findings support theories of episodic memory consolidation and the benefits of retrieval practice in eyewitness contexts.
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