The development of differential mnemonic effects of false denials and forced confabulations

Date

2015

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Behavioral Sciences and the Law

Abstract

The current experiment was designed to assess the mnemonic consequences of false denials and forced confabulations. Children (6- to 8- and 10- to 12-year-olds) and adults viewed a video and their memory and belief about the event were tested. Participants were then divided into three groups. In the Cued Recall condition, participants were asked to answer true- and false-event questions, but could choose not to respond if they did not know the answer. In the Forced Confabulation group, participants received the same set of questions, but were forced to answer all of them. In the False Denial group, participants were instructed to falsely deny in response to each question. One week later, participants received a source memory test, and they had to provide memory and belief ratings once more. Forced confabulations resulted in false memories in the youngest group. Moreover, our analyses showed that repeated false denials led to children and adults to be highly inclined to falsely deny that they had talked to the experimenter about certain presented details when in fact they had done so. Furthermore, false denial and nonbelieved memory rates were more pronounced in younger than in older children and adults. Our results imply that denying experienced events is not a good strategy in an interviewing setting as it adversely affects memory statements about the interview.

Description

Keywords

confabulation, false memories, false denial, forensic interview

Citation

Otgaar, H., Howe, M. L., Memon, A., & Wang, J. (2015). The development of differential mnemonic effects of false denials and forced confabulations. Behavioral Sciences & the Law, 32(6), 718-731.

DOI