Where a memory came from can be mixed up (misidentified; misattributed). For example someone can remember hearing about an event from the news when they actually heard it from a friend.

Source-monitoring error (source misattribution)

The permanent or impermanent decreased ability to recall the information targeted by misinformation. 

Misinformation Effect: Memory Impairment

Responses that align with the misinformation to the detriment of reporting accurate event information.  

Misinformation Effect: Biased Responding

The substandard utilization of the original memory details related to the misinformation effect and an insufficient model of the memory task. 

Misinformation Effect: Memory Conversion Processes

- Memory impairment 
- Biased responding
- Source misattribution
- Memory conversion processes

Ohio State University, Columbus

Misleading information that is presented to someone after witnessing event can change how they recall and explain that event. One common explanation is retroactive interference (new learning interfering with old memory/understanding)

Misinformation  Effect Paradigm

Blank, H., & Launay, C. (2014). How to protect eyewitness memory against the misinformation effect: A meta-analysis of post-warning studies. Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition, 3(2), 77–88. https://doi-org.proxy.lib.ohio-state.edu/10.1037/h0101798.supp (Supplemental)

How to protect eyewitness memory against the misinformation effect: A meta-analysis of post-warning studies

Information presented after someone witnesses an event that is misleading and can potentially change their memory of that event. It is often problematic in criminal cases when witnesses are given MPI.

Misleading Postevent Information (MPI)

Gabbert, F., Memon, A., Allan, K., & Wright, D.B. (2004/2010). Say it to my face: Examining the effects of socially encountered misinformation. Legal and Criminological Psychology, 9(2), 215–227. https://doi.org/10.1348/1355325041719428

Say it to my face: Examining the effects of socially encountered misinformation

Aging and the Misinformation Effect: A Neuropsychological Analysis

One factor that could affect one's susceptibility to the misinformation effect is sleep. However, the research conducted on this relationship has yielded inconclusive results. 

The Misinformation Effect and Sleep

Methods for Studying the Misinformation Effect

Since self-confidence and memory are positively linked, it is thought that a positive self-image should be linked to lower susceptibility to the misinformation effect. This hypothesis assumes that susceptibility to misinformation is at least in part due to a lack of confidence in one's memories. 

Positive feedback to protect against the misinformation effect

The idea that memory reports become contaminated with information coming from sources other than the original

Memory Misinformation Effect

The idea that the misinformation effect can occur without memory distortions or source monitoring errors

Non-Memory Misinformation Effect

An intervention to the misinformation effect consisting of the addition of a warning after the presentation of misleading information. Post-warnings intend to encourage less reliance on information presented after an event.

Misinformation Effect Interventions: Post-warnings

Misinformation Effect: Mechanisms

False memories germinated from misinformation that an individual whole-heartedly believed in and can provide emotional, sensational, and factual details when recalling. 


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