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Source misattributions and the suggestibility of eyewitness memory
1Department of Psychology, Kent State University, Ohio 44242.
Summary
Eyewitnesses sometimes mistakenly believe suggested details are real memories due to source misattribution. This effect varies and is not guaranteed when memory is influenced by suggestions.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Forensic Psychology
- Memory Studies
Background:
- Eyewitness memory suggestibility is a known phenomenon.
- The extent to which misled individuals believe suggested details is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if misled participants confuse suggestions with actual memories.
- To investigate the source misattribution effect in eyewitness recall.
Main Methods:
- Five experiments were conducted.
- Participants were asked specific questions about the source of suggested details in their memory.
Main Results:
- Misled participants sometimes believe they remember suggested items (source misattribution effect).
- The occurrence and magnitude of this effect are variable.
- Source misattributions are not an unavoidable outcome of suggestion.
Conclusions:
- Individuals can misattribute suggested information to their own memory.
- The source misattribution effect in eyewitness memory is not absolute.
- Factors influencing the variability of this effect warrant further investigation.