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<p>Autobiographical memories can be easily distorted by post-event misinformation, a finding with significant implications for justice and the judicial system. Although everyone is susceptible to misinformation effects, the discussion of this issue in judicial contexts is typically focused on the memory of the complainant, but not the accused. Across three experiments, we exposed participants (total <i>N</i> = 1341) to a first-person perspective video depicting the events leading up to an alleged sexual assault, and assigned them to the role of complainant or accused. There was no difference in the susceptibility of participants in the complainant and accused roles to post-event misinformation, even when it was compatible with their account of events. We conclude that the complainant and accused in a “he said, she said” case are equally likely to suffer from memory distortion, and urge expert witnesses to take this into account when providing testimony.</p>

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He said, she said: the “accused” and “complainant” in a sexual assault scenario are equally susceptible to misinformation

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年7月29日

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  • Ciara M. Greene,
  • Maryanne Brassil,
  • Gillian Murphy

摘要

Autobiographical memories can be easily distorted by post-event misinformation, a finding with significant implications for justice and the judicial system. Although everyone is susceptible to misinformation effects, the discussion of this issue in judicial contexts is typically focused on the memory of the complainant, but not the accused. Across three experiments, we exposed participants (total N = 1341) to a first-person perspective video depicting the events leading up to an alleged sexual assault, and assigned them to the role of complainant or accused. There was no difference in the susceptibility of participants in the complainant and accused roles to post-event misinformation, even when it was compatible with their account of events. We conclude that the complainant and accused in a “he said, she said” case are equally likely to suffer from memory distortion, and urge expert witnesses to take this into account when providing testimony.