False Memories In Children

1. This study examines whether or not prevalence information would stimulate and enhance false memories in children. Otgaar et al (2009) aimed to find out whether memories could be changed or shaped around an implausible event based on information given to children, in this case, a UFO abduction. The purpose was to find out whether or not the children would create a false memory of a specific event. They were given one of two narratives, one plausible, (almost choking on a candy) and one implausible, (a UFO abduction). The question sought to find out whether these children, categorised into two age groups, 7-8 and 11-12, will report false memories of an implausible event after being subject to prevalent information.

2. A three stage model proposed by Mazzoni, Loftus and Kirsch (2001) seeks to explain why false memories are formed. There are three phases to the model and the first is to ensure that an event is considered plausible to make sure it is believable. To ensure this, false evidence may

This study assigned children at random to different conditions. These conditions being either plausible or implausible, and whether they were given prevalence information about something or not. Over a seven day period, each child was interviewed twice and during these interviews they were given one true and one false narrative. During the first interviewed conducted, the child was presented with both narratives and were asked to report everything they knew regarding the event. In the prevalent information group, they were presented with newspaper articles about an event in an attempt to enhance memory recall. Children that would not describe the event were probed and encouraged to try again to recall. If the child continued to have no recall at all regarding the event, their interview would be terminated. In the second interview, the interviews were conducted similarly, however they were debriefed about the study and made sure to fully understand the events were