In a study demonstrating memory suggestibility, researchers Stephen Ceci and Maggie Brucks asked three-year-old children to indicate on an anatomically correct doll where a pediatrician had touched them. Despite not receiving any genital exam, 55 percent of the children pointed to the genital or anal area, illustrating how suggestive questioning can result in misinformation effects.

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The process of questioning an individual about past events can inadvertently alter their recall. Because memory is highly susceptible to even the slightest suggestions, therapeutic or investigative questioning can lead to misinformation effects, raising doubts about the accuracy of the accessed memories.

Misinformation Effects in Questioning

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Elizabeth Loftus questions the accuracy of recovered repressed memories, such as those involving childhood sexual abuse. She is skeptical of the therapeutic questioning process used to access these memories, arguing that even minor suggestions from a therapist can lead to misinformation effects that alter the patient's recall.

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