The misinformation effect is the tendency for information received after an event to interfere with one's memory of the original happenings. Research has shown that the introduction of even relatively subtle new information later on can have a dramatic effect on how people remember events they have seen or experienced. Show
The misinformation effect illustrates how easily memories can be influenced. It also raises concerns about the reliability of memory—particularly when the memories of eyewitnesses are used to determine criminal guilt, referred to as eyewitness testimony. The misinformation effect can lead to inaccurate memories and, in some cases, result in the formation of false memories. What Is the Misinformation Effect?Psychologist Elizabeth Loftus, who is known for her study of false memories, says, "The misinformation effect refers to the impairment in memory for the past that arises after exposure to misleading information." The work of Loftus and her colleagues has demonstrated that the questions asked after witnessing an event can actually influence a person's memory of that event. In other words, if a question contains misleading information, it can
distort the memory of the event, a phenomenon that psychologists have dubbed "the misinformation effect." Misinformation Effect ExampleIn the famous experiment conducted by Loftus, participants were shown video footage of a traffic accident. After watching the clip, participants were asked a number of questions about what they had observed, much in the same way police officers, accident investigators, and attorneys might question an eyewitness. One of the questions asked was, "How fast were the cars going when they hit each other?" In some instances, however, a subtle change was made; participants were instead asked how fast the cars were going when they "smashed into" each other. Researchers discovered that using the word "smashed" instead of "hit" could change how the participants remembered the accident. A week later, the participants were once again asked a series of questions, including "Did you see broken glass?" Most of the participants correctly answered no. But those who had been asked the "smashed" version of the question in the initial interview were more likely to incorrectly believe that they had indeed seen broken glass. How can such a minor change lead to false memories of the video clip? Experts suggest that this is an example of the misinformation effect at work. Misinformation Effect TheoriesWhy does the misinformation effect happen, potentially leading to the formation of false memories? There are a few different theories.
Factors Influencing the Misinformation EffectResearch has shown that there are several factors that can contribute to the misinformation effect, making it more likely that event happenings will be distorted and lead to false memories.
How to Reduce the Misinformation EffectWhat can prevent intervening information and events from altering memories or even creating false memories? Writing down your memory of an important event immediately after it happens is one strategy that might help minimize the effects. Keep in mind that even this strategy can introduce subtle errors, and writing these errors down can further cement them in your memory. Being aware that your memory can be influenced is another helpful and important strategy. While you might have a good memory, understand that everyone is susceptible to the misinformation effect. That said, susceptibility may be even greater for people with a low need for cognition. Research exploring the misinformation effect paradigm found that individuals with a high cognitive need were better at detecting differences between the original event memory and the misinformation. People with high cognitive need tend to think about ideas and pursue mentally challenging tasks, like puzzles. How to Distinguish False MemoriesSome argue that there is no way to distinguish a false memory from a real one. This creates a challenge not just when trying to remember a particular event, but also in memory research. If there is video footage of the event, reviewing it can help you decide if your memories are real or
if they could be false. It may also be beneficial to consider other people's recollections of the event. If they are all saying the same thing, and it is different than what you remember, the misinformation effect may be at play. A Word From VerywellThe misinformation effect can have a profound impact on our memories, sometimes causing us to believe that false memories are real. Taking the time to write down events after they can occur can help reduce this effect—as long as the events happened as we wrote them down. Anyone can experience the misinformation effect. However, being aware of this can help you be more alert when trying to recall an event, potentially reducing your susceptibility to the creation of false memories. Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Additional Reading By Kendra Cherry
Thanks for your feedback! What is misinformation in memory?The misinformation effect is the tendency for information received after an event to interfere with one's memory of the original happenings. Research has shown that the introduction of even relatively subtle new information later on can have a dramatic effect on how people remember events they have seen or experienced.
What happens to memory in the misinformation effect?The misinformation effect occurs when a person's recall of episodic memories becomes less accurate because of post-event information. The misinformation effect has been studied since the mid-1970s.
What is the misinformation effect in eyewitness memory?Abstract. Eyewitnesses are susceptible to recollecting that they experienced an event in a way that is consistent with false information provided to them after the event. The effect is commonly called the misinformation effect.
What's an example of misinformation effect?An example of misinformation effect could be as simple as an eyewitness being asked: "Did you see the broken light" rather than "Did you see a broken light". The first assumes there was a broken light and that influences the possibility of misinformation effect and the response from the eyewitness.
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