When a lie becomes the truth

Memory 12(1), pp 14-26
(January 2004 )

The effects of self-generated misinformation
on eyewitness memory
Kerri L. Pickel

This research investigated whether generating misinformation impairs memory
for actual information. After watching a videotaped robbery, some witnesses
were interviewed about it, but others did not rehearse the event details.
One week later, the witnesses tried to remember the robber's appearance. In
Experiment 1, those who fabricated a description of the robber during the
interview and those who did not rehearse remembered fewer correct details
than did truthful witnesses or those who fabricated about another person.
Witnesses who fabricated about the robber also reported more incorrect
details than did truthful or non-interviewed witnesses. In Experiment 2,
witnesses who fabricated about the robber performed as poorly on the memory
test as did witnesses who answered interview questions using false
information prepared for them. In both experiments deceptive witnesses
sometimes reported invented details on the memory test, suggesting that they
may have come to believe some fabrications.

http://psychologypress.metapress.com/link.asp?id=5pf7ydr788t7rvd5

**Remember to allways check with http://www.behavioral-sciences.org daily for updates, news, cutting-edge research projects, and new courses for professional developement.

Dr. D. Chevalier, IPC, CPPP, ACOFEI
Executive Director -Behavioral Sciences Unit
The Consortium of Scientific Investigation and Research
Member- American College of Forensic Examiniers International
Investigative Psychology
W: 817-992-8993
F: 775-320-4804
Em: psychologist@charter.net