Memory distrust and suggestibility: A registered report

Abstract

Purpose: The study aimed to explore how memory distrust impacts two kinds of suggestibility: misinformation effect (Experiment 1) and interrogative suggestibility (Experiment 2). We verified whether recognizing discrepancies between personal memories and externally suggested information, along with certain individual differences, moderates the memory distrust-suggestibility link. Methods: Experiment 1 (N = 306) followed a classic three-step procedure with a discrepancy awareness test. In Experiment 2 (N = 316) a computerized version of the Gudjonsson Suggestibility Scale with a discrepancy awareness test was utilized. Both experiments manipulated the state of memory distrust and assessed participants' trait memory distrust, compliance, anxiety and self-esteem. Results: While the effect of memory deterioration due to misinformation and suggestions was replicated, the hypotheses regarding the relationship between memory distrust and suggestibility were not confirmed. However, for interrogative suggestibility, individuals induced to doubt their own memory were more susceptible to suggestions when recognizing inconsistencies between the story and suggestive questions. Conclusions: From the theoretical side, the concept of memory distrust appears to be useful to explain the reasons for succumbing to suggestions. However, our findings indicate that memory distrust toward committing omission errors and the experimentally induced state appear unrelated (misinformation effect paradigm) or marginally related (memory distrust state and interrogative suggestibility) to the tendency to yield to suggestions. This prompts further research using a different operationalisation of this construct.