Nash RA, Wade KA, Garry M, Loftus EF, Ost J. Misrepresentations and Flawed Logic About the Prevalence of False Memories.
APPLIED COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2017;
31:31-33. [PMID:
28163369 PMCID:
PMC5248607 DOI:
10.1002/acp.3265]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Brewin and Andrews (2016) propose that just 15% of people, or even fewer, are susceptible to false childhood memories. If this figure were true, then false memories would still be a serious problem. But the figure is higher than 15%. False memories occur even after a few short and low-pressure interviews, and with each successive interview, they become richer, more compelling, and more likely to occur. It is therefore dangerously misleading to claim that the scientific data provide an "upper bound" on susceptibility to memory errors. We also raise concerns about the peer review process.
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