How to accurately detect autobiographical events.
We describe a new method, based on indirect measures of implicit autobiographical memory, that allows evaluation of which of two contrasting autobiographical events (e.g., crimes) is true for a given individual. Participants were requested to classify sentences describing possible autobiographical events by pressing one of two response keys. Responses were faster when sentences related to truly autobiographical events shared the same response key with other sentences reporting true events and slower when sentences related to truly autobiographical events shared the same response key with sentences reporting false events. This method has possible application in forensic settings and as a lie-detection technique.
Sartori
Giuseppe
G
Psychology Department, University of Padua, Italy. giuseppe.sartori@unipd.it
Agosta
Sara
S
Zogmaister
Cristina
C
Ferrara
Santo Davide
SD
Castiello
Umberto
U
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000523:psychology; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000523:psychology; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry; D006167:Guilt; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000523:psychology; D006708:Homicide / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007298:Insanity Defense; D008014:Lie Detection / Q000523:psychology*; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012372:ROC Curve; D011930:Reaction Time; D012193:Reversal Learning; D012650:Self Disclosure; D013800:Theft / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult