Scullin MH, Bonner K. Theory of mind, inhibitory control, and preschool-age children's suggestibility in different interviewing contexts.
J Exp Child Psychol 2005;
93:120-38. [PMID:
16236306 DOI:
10.1016/j.jecp.2005.09.005]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2005] [Revised: 08/19/2005] [Accepted: 09/01/2005] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The current study examined the relations among 3- to 5-year-olds' theory of mind, inhibitory control, and three measures of suggestibility: yielding to suggestive questions (yield), shifting answers in response to negative feedback (shift), and accuracy in response to misleading questions during a pressured interview about a live event. Theory of mind aided in the prediction of suggestibility about the live event, and inhibitory control was a moderator variable affecting the consistency of children's sensitivity to social pressure across situations. The findings indicate that theory of mind and inhibitory control predict children's suggestibility about a live event above and beyond yield, shift, and age and that the construct validity of shift may improve as children's inhibitory control develops.
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