TY - JOUR
T1 - Distinguishing truthful from invented accounts using reality monitoring criteria
AU - Memon, Amina
AU - Fraser, Joanne
AU - Colwell, Kevin
AU - Odinot, Geralda
AU - Mastroberardino, Serena
PY - 2010/9
Y1 - 2010/9
N2 - Purpose. Previous research has suggested that true and invented memories can be distinguished between using the reality monitoring criteria. Two different coding schemes were used to examine the correct classification of reports as truthful or deceptive on the basis of individual reality-monitoring (RM) criteria. Method. Drawing upon the RM framework the present experiment examined transcripts of verbal accounts of eyewitnesses to a staged event or made up details about the incident. The statements were elicited during a face-to-face cognitive interview (CI) and were analysed by coders trained in the identification of criteria indicative of self-experienced and invented accounts (referred to here as Version 1) and a similar coding method (referred to here as Version 2). Results. A distinction was made between 'external memories' (affective, perceptual, and contextual details) and 'internal' memories (cognitive operations). For Version 1, the results indicated a higher number of contextual and external details in the descriptions of experienced events and as is commonly found in the deception literature, truthful accounts were longer. For Version 2, temporal and auditory details were more frequent in true accounts. Contrary to prediction, there were also more references to cognitive operations in true accounts. Conclusions. Any forensic application of RM should consider how external factors (characteristics of the event, motivation to deceive, and questioning style) influence the presence of RM criteria.
AB - Purpose. Previous research has suggested that true and invented memories can be distinguished between using the reality monitoring criteria. Two different coding schemes were used to examine the correct classification of reports as truthful or deceptive on the basis of individual reality-monitoring (RM) criteria. Method. Drawing upon the RM framework the present experiment examined transcripts of verbal accounts of eyewitnesses to a staged event or made up details about the incident. The statements were elicited during a face-to-face cognitive interview (CI) and were analysed by coders trained in the identification of criteria indicative of self-experienced and invented accounts (referred to here as Version 1) and a similar coding method (referred to here as Version 2). Results. A distinction was made between 'external memories' (affective, perceptual, and contextual details) and 'internal' memories (cognitive operations). For Version 1, the results indicated a higher number of contextual and external details in the descriptions of experienced events and as is commonly found in the deception literature, truthful accounts were longer. For Version 2, temporal and auditory details were more frequent in true accounts. Contrary to prediction, there were also more references to cognitive operations in true accounts. Conclusions. Any forensic application of RM should consider how external factors (characteristics of the event, motivation to deceive, and questioning style) influence the presence of RM criteria.
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U2 - 10.1348/135532508X401382
DO - 10.1348/135532508X401382
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:77956596274
VL - 15
SP - 177
EP - 194
JO - Legal and Criminological Psychology
JF - Legal and Criminological Psychology
SN - 1355-3259
IS - 2
ER -