Toward a Non-memory Misinformation Effect: Accessing the Original Source Does Not Prevent Yielding to Misinformation

The misinformation effect is regarded by many to be fully memory-related. The paper presents results demonstrating that it may occur without memory distortions or source monitoring errors. Three experiments were conducted, in which the participants were allowed to access the original and post-event source while answering. All experiments used a discrepancy detection test in order to see whether participants aware of discrepancies and having access to the original source, still provide answers consistent with misinformation. In Experiments 2 and 3, the participants’ actions in the modified procedure were recorded, ensuring that subjects actively access the original source. A misinformation effect was obtained in all experiments. Moreover, awareness of discrepancies did not fully protect against the misinformation effect. Results demonstrate that existing memory-related explanations of the misinformation effect, including source misattribution, may not be enough to fully understand it.