Valence, implicated actor, and children's acquiescence to false suggestions

Date

2016

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology

Abstract

Although adverse effects of suggestive interviewing on children's accuracy are well documented, it remains unclear as to whether these effects vary depending on the valence of and the actor implicated in suggestions. In this study, 124 3-8-year-olds participated in a classroom activity and were later questioned about positive and negative false details. The interviewer provided positive reinforcement when children acquiesced to suggestions and negative feedback when they did not. Following reinforcement or feedback, young children were comparably suggestible for positive and negative details. With age, resistance to suggestions about negative details emerged first, followed by resistance to suggestions about positive details. Across age, more negative feedback was required to induce acquiescence to negative than positive false details. Finally, children were less willing to acquiesce when they (versus the confederate) were implicated. Findings highlight the interactive effects of valence and children's age on their eyewitness performance in suggestive contexts.

Description

Keywords

valence, suggestibility, acquiescence, selective reinforcement, interviewer bias, children

Citation

Cleveland, K. C., Quas, J. A., & Lyon, T. D. (2016). Valence, implicated actor, and children's acquiescence to false suggestions. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 43, 1-7. DOI:10.1016/j.appdev.2015.12.

DOI