Understanding that suggestive practices can promote false beliefs and memories for childhood events is important in many settings (e.g., psychotherapeutic, medical, legal). The generalisability of findings from memory implantation studies has been questioned due to variability estimates across studies. Such partly having operationalised differently differences induction techniques. We explored ways defining based on science developed a reliable coding system we applied reports eight...

The DRM method has proved to be a popular and powerful, if controversial, way study ‘false memories’. One reason for the controversy is that extent which effect generalises other kinds of memory error been neither satisfactorily established nor subject much empirical attention. In present paper we contribute data this ongoing debate. hundred twenty participants took part in standard misinformation experiment, they watched some CCTV footage, were exposed misleading post-event information...

Abstract Research has shown that the memory characteristics questionnaire (MCQ) can be used to discriminate between ‘memories’ of perceived events and imagined events. The present study extended this research by examining utility MCQ in distinguishing impossible memories (i.e., reports an event a person could not have witnessed). Congruent with previous research, considerable number participants both pilot (45%) main (44%) were willing report they had seen non‐existent film car crash which...

Abstract The present study examined the effects of state and trait anxiety on 8–11 years old children's susceptibility to misleading post‐event information. Participants' were measured, after which they watched an extract from a movie. They then individually interviewed using either supportive or non‐supportive style. During interviews, children asked 14 questions about movie, seven control contained After interview, their was measured again. Results showed that participants in style more...

Abstract Many researchers have argued that the use of empathy in police interviews is beneficial to rapport building process, with some arguing its may actually increase number admissions from specific cohorts suspected offenders. training protocols and guidelines also suggest officers should during investigative interviews, yet no distinct definition provided. This paper will provide a review current literature area discuss meaning effectiveness those committing sexual offences. Copyright ©...

In courts in the United Kingdom, understanding of memory phenomena is often assumed to be a matter common sense. To test this assumption 337 UK respondents, consisting 125 Chartered Clinical Psychologists, 88 individuals who advertised their services as Hypnotherapists (HTs) classified directory, Yellow PagesTM, and 124 first year undergraduate psychology students, completed questionnaire that assessed knowledge 10 about which there broad scientific consensus. HTs' responses were most...

To assist with missing person investigations, the public may be on lookout during their everyday activities and alert authorities if is encountered. In this Registered Report, participants encoded posters that included an image of a target along relevant, irrelevant, or no contextual information about person. After viewing poster, watched video either plausible nontarget, using new experimental paradigm kept all other conditions encounter constant. Previous findings suggest could affect...

Abstract The present study employed the "parental misinformation & CloseCurly " paradigm to examine whether individuals report false events from their childhood even when they are interviewed in an appropriate manner by a trained interviewer. Each participant was on three occasions. By final interview, one produced "full Close Curly report, and six participants "partial reports, of that did not occur. Although reported perceiving greater pressure than real events, independent judges' ratings...

Abstract The present experiment investigated whether increased media exposure could lead to an increase in memory distortions regarding a traumatic public event: the explosion of No. 30 bus Tavistock Square, London on 7 July 2005. A total 150 Swedish and UK participants completed series questionnaires about their either (i) aftermath explosion, (ii) non-existent computerised reconstruction moment or (iii) closed circuit television footage explosion. In line with availability heuristic, were...

Abstract Using transcripts of 26 real-life interviews with suspected child sex offenders from England, this study examined the use empathy and impact question type on amount investigation relevant information (IRI) obtained. There were no significant differences in IRI obtained as a function by police officers. The mean proportion inappropriate questions was significantly higher than appropriate and, hypothesized, responses to contained more items questions.

Abstract An online survey was conducted to examine psychological therapists' experiences of, and beliefs about, cases of recovered memory, satanic/ritualistic abuse, Multiple Personality Disorder/Dissociative Identity Disorder, false memory. Chartered Clinical Psychologists (n=183) Hypnotherapists (n=119) responded. In terms their experiences, reported seeing more abuse compared who, in turn, encountering childhood sexual for the first time therapy, suspected were likely rate essential...

Retractors are individuals who have repudiated their earlier claims of having been sexually abused. There has relatively little research conducted with this population. The growing literature on memory verification strategies and non-believed memories provide a conceptual empirical lens through which to revisit the accounts these try learn more about process making retracting high stake, consequential beliefs or recollections past. Do people attempt validate invalidate such events in same...

Abstract The present study investigated the precise nature of crashing memory reports: Are they truly memories or are based on beliefs? We asked 88 individuals whether had seen non‐existent footage Pim Fortuyn assassination and conducted thorough post‐experimental interviews. Two‐thirds our participants falsely reported having footage, while less than 10% also details that could not have seen. Moreover, plausibility ratings images were higher false belief ratings, which in turn ratings....

This paper examines 90 UK police officers' perceptions of characteristics interviews with suspects rape and murder involving child adult victims. Officers rated their beliefs about how stressful they would find such interviews, the importance confessions, likely emotional involvement much empathy show towards suspect. Murder cases were reported to be more than rape, confessions deemed less important for respondents compared 'other' officers. that become emotionally involved in children,...

Conducting interviews with “high-stake” offenders, especially those accused of murder and sexual offences, represents a complex emotive area work for police officers. Using an English sample 59 actual interviews, the effects empathy question type on amount investigation-relevant information obtained from suspects child murder, sex offences adult were analysed compared. No direct elicited found. However, in classified as empathic, interviewers asked significantly more appropriate questions...

Brewin and Andrews (2016) propose that just 15% of people, or even fewer, are susceptible to false childhood memories. If this figure were true, then memories would still be a serious problem. But the is higher than 15%. False occur after few short low-pressure interviews, with each successive interview, they become richer, more compelling, likely occur. It therefore dangerously misleading claim scientific data provide an "upper bound" on susceptibility memory errors. We also raise concerns...

Repeated events are common in everyday life, but relatively neglected as a topic within memory psychology. In two samples of adults, we investigated for repeated, schema-establishing simple (operationalised structured word-lists), and the effects deviations those events. We focused on from core dimensions schema: content order. Across three successive word-list events, established reinforced basic list schema by always presenting categories same These expectations were violated fourth final...

This paper examined the use of emotional language by police officers that interview child victims as well suspects during sexual offence investigations. It was hypothesised who interviewed prior to questioning would more utterances interviews with suspect than those had not victims. In addition, it also number used vary a function gender interviewer and type (e.g. intra or extrafamilial abuse). Thirty-four transcripts investigative alleged sex offenders were analysed and, contrary...

In today's globalized world, we frequently encounter unfamiliar events that may have difficulty comprehending – and in turn remembering due to a lack of appropriate schemata. This research investigated schema effects situation where participants established complex new for an type story through exposure four variations. We found immediate recall increased across subsequent stories distortions occurred less built on the emerging gradually representations parts were initially transformed. with...

Abstract The present paper examines reports by 'retractors' (i.e. adults who have retracted their earlier claims of childhood abuse) to explore suggestions in the literature possible similarities between experiences and individuals falsely confess criminal acts. Despite concerns about reliability retractors' reports, these provide valuable insight into processes involved making then repudiating abuse. analysis revealed contexts which retractors came report that they were sexually abused...