A picture is worth a thousand lies: using false photographs to create false childhood memories.

Full Abstract

Because image-enhancing technology is readily available, people are frequently exposed to doctored images. However, in prior research on how adults can be led to report false childhood memories, subjects have typically been exposed to personalized and detailed narratives describing false events. Instead, we exposed 20 subjects to a false childhood event via a fake photograph and imagery instructions. Over three interviews, subjects thought about a photograph showing them on a hot air balloon ride and tried to recall the event byusing guided-imagery exercises. Fifty percent of the subjects created complete or partial false memories. The results bear on ways in which false memories can be created and also have practical implications for those involved in clinical and legal settings.

Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills

Author information

Author/s: Wade, Kimberley A (KA); Garry, Maryanne (M); Read, J Don (JD); Lindsay, D Stephen (DS);

Affiliation: School of Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Psychonomic bulletin & review (Psychon Bull Rev), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-Sep; vol 9 (issue 3) : pp 597-603

Dates: Created 2002/11/04; Completed 2003/02/21; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 12412902, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Child
Humans
Imagination
Infant

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

See 100+ related articles.