Trained but still tricked: source sensitisation training fails to reduce false memory reports.

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Legal Psychology

Background:

• False autobiographical memories can significantly impact legal proceedings, particularly eyewitness testimony.
• The reliability of memory in legal contexts is crucial for case outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of a sensitisation memory training (SMT) in reducing false autobiographical memory reports.
• To determine if SMT can correct false memories elicited through a blind implantation method.

Main Methods:

• A blind implantation procedure was used with 294 participants to implant a false childhood memory.
• Participants rated their memory and belief for suggested events.
• Participants were randomly assigned to receive SMT or a distractor task before a follow-up memory assessment.

Main Results:

• Initially, 18.4% of participants reported a false belief or memory.
• Following the intervention, false beliefs increased to 20.4% in the SMT group and 22.3% in the control group.
• False memories also increased to 5.1% in the SMT group compared to 2.9% in the control group.

Conclusions:

• The sensitisation memory training was ineffective in reducing false autobiographical memory reports.
• False memories induced by the blind implantation paradigm appear highly resistant to correction.
• Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying the resistance of false memories to intervention.