Clothed and unclothed human figure drawings lead to more correct and incorrect reports of touch in children

H. Otgaar*, R. Horselenberg, R. van Kampen, K. Lalleman

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleProfessional

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to examine the effect of clothed and unclothed human figure drawings (HFDs) on children's reports of touch. Eighty 4/5-year-olds and 80 9/10-year-olds participated in a staged event in which measurements of their body parts (e. g. waistline) were taken. Specifically, they were touched on 10 different locations. Immediately or three weeks after the event, they had to report where they had been touched. Half of the children received a clothed HFD while the other half was provided with an unclothed HFD to assist children in their recall. When we compared children's recall before and after the presentation of a HFD, we found that clothed and unclothed HFDs significantly decreased the accuracy of children's reports of touch. So, although children reported more correct touches after the presentation of a HFD, they were also more likely to include more incorrect information in their reports of touch.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)641-653
Number of pages13
JournalPsychology Crime & Law
Volume18
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2012

Keywords

  • ALLEGED VICTIMS
  • ANATOMICALLY DETAILED DOLLS
  • MEMORY
  • PEDIATRIC EXAMINATION
  • SEXUAL ABUSE EVALUATIONS
  • accuracy
  • children
  • human figure drawing
  • memory

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