Eyewitness Memory: Factors affecting the formation of false memories

Abstract

Research has largely demonstrated the malleable nature of memory and the possibility of recalling events – or part of them – never experienced. These memory errors are well-known as false memories and have been largely investigated by researchers due to strong implications for the legal context. Studies on false memories formation have demonstrated a series of circumstances and factors that can lead to this phenomenon. False memories might occur because of internal processes as well as external influences, leading to spontaneous and suggestion-induced false memories, respectively. In addition, some individual differences – like cognitive resources and personality traits – can inform on individuals’ likelihood of reporting false memories. Still, emotions experienced during the event as well as the emotional content of the experience itself can affect false memories formation. The present work aims to provide an overview of the literature on false memories in the legal context, addressing how scientific evidence can be useful for forensic psychologists, specifically those working in the Italian system.