‘Slow down, one detail at the time!’ the influence of reflective-impulsive cognitive style on the recollection of criminal events

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of the reflective-impulsive dimension of cognitive styles on recollection and the accuracy of a criminal events. In a VR-based experimental study, 150 participants were exposed to both criminal and neutral scenarios and subsequently asked to report everything they remembered about them. Cognitive styles were assessed using a computer-administered Matching Familiar Figures Test. The findings highlight that individuals with a reflective cognitive style consistently provided detailed descriptions of the events, irrespective of the context of encoding. In contrast, individuals with an impulsive cognitive style displayed context-specific effects, notably reduced performance when recalling emotionally charged criminal events. Notably, cognitive style did not moderate the accuracy of testimony. Given that the subjects who observed the crime achieved a lower overall accuracy rate than those who observed the neutral video, it appears that accuracy is directly affected by the criminal content.