Eyewitness memory: effects of social pressure and gender on memory conformity

Abstract

Literature demonstrates that a group discussion influences memory conformity and that misleading information is usually adopted into subsequent individual reports. The current study hypothesizes that social pressure to respond in a certain way among opposite gender group members will result in the adoption of more incorrect information about an event. A 2 (participant gender) x 2 (confederate gender) x 2 (information type) design was used. Sessions were conducted in groups of three (2 confederates and 1 participant). The group watched a video, completed filler tasks, had a discussion about the video, answered questions about the video and wrote an individual account. Statistically significant results were found for confederate gender and information condition. No statistically significant results were found for participant gender or the interactions hypothesized. These results demonstrate that memory conformity may occur when misleading information is introduced by other co-witnesses, which has important implications for eyewitness testimony.