Post-event information affects children's autobiographical memory after one year.
In two experiments, we examined whether post-event information (PEI) about true and false events persisted in children's reports after approximately 1 year. In Experiment 1, 4- to 6-year-olds were given PEI and then were given memory tests 2 weeks and 15 months later. Although PEI appeared in free recall at the initial testing, it decreased substantially by the long-term test. In contrast, on recognition tasks the children showed facilitation and misinformation effects at initial and follow-up tests. Experiment 2 replicated lasting misinformation and facilitation effects in recognition memory among 4- to 9-year-olds who were tested after 1-week and 10-month delays. We conclude that true and false reminders about an experienced event continue to affect children's memory approximately 1 year later.
London
Kamala
K
Department of Psychology/MS948, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA. kamala.london@utoledo.edu
Bruck
Maggie
M
Melnyk
Laura
L
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D011792:Quebec; D013404:Suggestion; D013997:Time Factors