False memories are common
Sharing memories can contaminate people’s recollections and create false memories.
“A false memory is the recollection of an event, or details of an event, that did not actually occur,” Dr Helen Paterson from the Sydney University School of Psychology said.
“My research focuses on how people can contaminate each other’s memories for an event by discussing it with one another.”
Dr Paterson said a key finding of the research was that misleading information presented through discussion with another person who observed the event can also lead to memory distortion.
“That is, witnesses who discuss an event with a co-witness are very likely to incorporate misinformation presented by the co-witness into their own memory for the event,” she said.
“Once their memory has been contaminated in this way, the witness is often unable to distinguish between the accurate and inaccurate memories.
“Critically, our research has shown that co-witness discussion is an especially potent delivery mechanism for misinformation; information provided during discussions with a co-witness is more likely to be incorporated into the witness’s memory than information encountered through leading questions, inaccurate media reports or other processes.
“Furthermore, our research has shown that memory contamination persists, even when people are warned that they have been exposed to misinformation by their co-witness.
“This suggests to us that people sometimes find it difficult, if not impossible, to distinguish between genuine memories and false memories of an event.”
Dr Paterson said the research had significant implications regarding the reliability of witness memory.
“Despite these attempts to keep witness testimony independent, it is clear that witnesses often do talk to each other about the event. Discussion among witnesses is difficult, if not impossible to prevent.”
