2. Discuss the misinformation effect and how it relates to the occurrence of false memories. What is the significance of the misinformation effect and how easy is it to ‘create’ false memories?

Key Points:

• The distortion of memory through the incorporation of new information as an important research topic for psychologists concerned both with the practical implications for eyewitness testimony, and with theoretical accounts of the nature of memory.
• Loftus and colleagues’ seminal work exploring the misinformation effect and its characteristics.
• The controversial basis of the misinformation effect.
• Recovered and false memories – are these veridical or false?