Wright, Deborah S. (2013) The mediating and moderating factors of fabricated evidence on false confessions, beliefs and memory. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

Preview

Text WRAP_THESIS_Wright_2013.pdf - Submitted Version Download (1040Kb) | Preview

Request Changes to record.

Abstract

Fabricated evidence (e.g., doctored videos) can induce people to falsely
confess to committing a 'crime' and change the way people remember an event.
This happens because memory is both malleable and reconstructive: people
remember their past using information available to them in the present.
Sometimes people rely on external evidence to tell them what happened, which
may or may not be accurate.
A wide range of studies have demonstrated the robust and persuasive
effect of false evidence in different situations, and some have examined the
theoretical mechanisms behind the effect. However, little is known about factors
that might mediate or moderate the power of false evidence. This thesis examines
some of these factors and their behavioural consequences.
Experiments 1 and 2 use a novel method to investigate whether changes in
when false evidence is presented, or how many times it is presented, make false
evidence more powerful. The results highlight the importance of several
theoretical mechanisms, which are then explored in the succeeding chapters.
Experiments 3 and 4 use the same method to examine whether the type of
evidence presented, or the order in which it is presented, influences its effect. The
findings build upon those of Experiments 1 and 2 and suggest some interesting
interactions between the different moderating and mediating factors.
Combined with a questionnaire examining peoples' perceptions of digitally
edited materials, the findings of Experiments 1-4 have practical and
methodological implications. Importantly, the results also have potential
theoretical implications and suggest modifications to Mazzoni and Kirsch's (2002)
model of autobiographical belief and memory. The amended model includes the
role of the examined moderating and mediating factors, and thus is better able to
account for how external evidence influences memory processes. In sum, this
thesis helps us to understand situations in which false evidence might be
particularly powerful.

Item Type:	Thesis or Dissertation (PhD)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Confession (Law) -- Psychological aspects, Police questioning -- Psychological aspects, False memory syndrome, Episodic memory
Official Date:	April 2013
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of Psychology
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Wade, Kimberley A.
Extent:	xii, 215 leaves : illustrations.
Language:	eng

Request changes or add full text files to a record

Repository staff actions (login required)

View Item

Downloads