Age trends and suggestibility : the effects of social influence Thesis

(2010). Age trends and suggestibility : the effects of social influence . 10.25148/etd.FI14052581

thesis or dissertation chair

authors

  • Carol, Rolando N.

abstract

  • The present study explored how the source of suggestive information affected children's memory for a witnessed event as a function of age. Children and adolescents ranging from 7 to 17 years of age watched a 10-minute video and were then interviewed twice about the witnessed event: once immediately after watching the video and again 1 week later. During the second interview the source of social influence (peer vs. adult) and suggestive information accuracy (correct-leading vs. incorrect-leading) were manipulated. Findings indicate that adults were the most influential source and peers were the least influential source, regardless of age. The data also suggest an age trend in suggestibility such that younger children are more influenced by incorrect information attributed to an adult source than older children.

publication date

  • April 30, 2010

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)