Personality Correlates of Co-Witness Suggestibility

Mojtahedi, Dara and Ioannou, Maria and Hammond, Laura (2017) Personality Correlates of Co-Witness Suggestibility. Journal of Forensic Psychology Research and Practice, 17 (4). pp. 249-274. ISSN 2473-2850

Text Mojtahedi et al., 2017.docx - Accepted Version Download (72kB)

Abstract

The present study examined the relationship between co-witness suggestibility and individual differences in interpersonal characteristics. Participants (N = 473) took part in an eyewitness simulation, and five independent conditions were used to control for misinformation size. Using confederates, the researchers exposed participants to misinformation about the witnessed event, prior to collecting their statements. The participants then completed the Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation-Behavior assessment (FIRO-B; Schutz, 1958), a measure of expressed and wanted control, affection, and inclusion. Results suggested that the wanted-control dimension was an accurate predictor of co-witness suggestibility. Eyewitnesses who scored highly on wanted control were significantly more likely to accept misinformation from co-witnesses, and were more likely to lose confidence in their own judgments, after a group discussion. In addition, the results suggest that the unanimity of misinformation, but not the size, had a significant influence on co-witness suggestibility.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1080/24732850.2017.1358996
Dates:	Date Event 31 July 2017 Accepted 8 September 2017 Published Online
Subjects:	CAH04 - psychology > CAH04-01 - psychology > CAH04-01-01 - psychology (non-specific)
Divisions:	Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences > School of Social Sciences > Dept. Psychology
Depositing User:	Silvio Aldrovandi
Date Deposited:	27 Mar 2018 11:52
Last Modified:	03 Mar 2022 15:42
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/5756

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