Simulating denial increases false memory rates for abuse unrelated information

Charlotte A Bücken*, Ivan Mangiulli, Henry Otgaar

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Victims of abuse might deny their traumatic experiences. We studied mnemonic effects of simulating false denial of a child sexual abuse narrative. Participants (N = 127) read and empathized with the main character of this narrative. Next, half were instructed to falsely deny abuse-related information while others responded honestly in an interview. One week later, participants received misinformation for the narrative and interview. In a final source memory task, participants' memory for the narrative and interview was tested. Participants who falsely denied abuse-related information endorsed more abuse-unrelated misinformation about the event than honest participants. Abuse-related false memory rates did not statistically differ between the groups, and false denials were not related to omission errors about (1) the interview and (2) narrative. Hence, victim's memory for abuse-related information related to their experience might not be affected by a false denial, and inconsistencies surrounding the abuse-unrelated information are more likely to take place.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)433-451
Number of pages19
JournalBehavioral Sciences & the Law
Volume40
Issue number3
Early online date22 Feb 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2022

Keywords

  • ADULTS
  • BLINDNESS
  • CHILDRENS
  • ITEM
  • TRUE
  • false denial
  • false memory
  • misinformation
  • simulated memory error
  • victim memory

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