The effect of question type on resistance to misinformation about present and absent details |
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| Authors: | Sonja P. Brubacher Stefanie J. Sharman Alan Scoboria Martine B. Powell |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Centre for Investigative Interviewing, Griffith Criminology Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia;2. School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia;3. Department of Psychology, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada Died April 19, 2019 |
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| Abstract: | The typical misinformation effect shows that accuracy is lower for details about which people received misleading compared to non-misleading (control) information. In two experiments, we examined the misinformation effect for non-witnessed details (i.e., absent). Three question types introduced control, misleading, and absent details (closed, closed-detailed, and open questions) about a mock burglary video. On this misinformation test, participants' reports of absent details were less accurate than control details only when they were introduced using open questions. Misinformation effects in a subsequent recognition test were present for misleading details in both experiments, but for absent details only in Experiment 2. Experiment 2 also revealed that participants who avoided answering open questions containing misleading and absent details had more accurate memories for these details on the subsequent recognition test than participants who answered these questions. In both experiments, confidence was lowest for absent details. Implications for theory and practice are discussed. |
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| Keywords: | don't know responses false memories interview leading questions misinformation effect resistance |
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