Misinformation and False Memory

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In class this week we saw cases where our memory fails when recalling information in the past and even seeing changes in real time in front of our eyes. Misinformation is when someone gives information that is incorrect without the intent of giving the incorrect information. This is more likely to happen in situations where the new information would fit someone’s schema of the situation. In a crime example, we can say that a robber has a knife in his hand and pointed it at someone, someone in the situation may have seen a gun instead of the knife and give that as a description. It is the same when someone misreads a word or letter as another in a license plate. It is not on purpose but it is because our brains use shortcuts to link events together to save time. In class we discussed why the new false memory might take hold as if it was the true memory. We said that since the new misinformation was more recent, it would be more easily remembered and projected into the memory. This blocking theory can be used to explain why when someone says they saw a gun at a crime scene to the other witnesses, the other witnesses may be more likely to say that there was a gun and not a knife
In Gabbert’s social misinformation experiment, researchers have found that misinformation received from social sources are more likely to be imprinted into a subjects memory and be recalled later. It can even have an effect on memories not even discussed. This can be detrimental to not only everyday scenarios but in a police investigation it can be harmful to the investigation. In an investigation if witnesses discuss what occurred and one gives a false memory then the police may arrest the wrong suspect. This is also important if the investigation...

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...at information to interview other witnesses, the witness may go along with the statement. We did learn that this can also occur when witnesses interact and talk with each other. The good news is that law enforcement officials realize that this is a problem and have come up with some solutions like seeing how alike stories are and trying to pick out information that may be incorrect. Other ways that law enforcement officials can try to minimize misinformation is to try to interview witnesses separately. Also, the way the officials phrase the question can have an effect, asking for example: “Did you see a vehicle? If so what color or make and model was it?” and not asking: “Did you see a dark blue Ford Focus?” By asking more open questions I feel that witnesses would rely on only their observations and not those that the official or other witnesses said they saw.

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