Effects of age, delay interval, and type of question on false memory syndrome in children.

Abstract

This study investigated how false memory syndrome may occur in children. Sixty children aged 6-8 and 9-11 years provided testimony about a theft using either general questions or both general and misleading questions. After seven weeks, both groups were interviewed using only general questions. Children correctly provided more central than peripheral features. Older children correctly provided more information than did younger children when asked general questions. Initial testimony was more accurate than seven-week reports. Initially, general questions elicited more accurate information than did misleading questions, however this effect dissipated over time. Moreover, children who were initially misled provided inaccurate peripheral details more in the delayed than in the immediate interview. Older children included inaccurate peripheral information more in the delayed than the immediate interview.