The effects of perceived memory ability on memory conformity for an event.

The present study investigated the impact of false feedback about individual memory performance relative to a co-witness on susceptibility to misinformation. Pairs of participants (n = 130; 65 pairs) completed a visual memory test and received false feedback on their performance indicating that the memory ability of one participant in the pair was stronger relative to the other participant. The participants then viewed a crime video (either the same video or one slightly different to their partner) and discussed their memories for this video with their co-witness. Participants completed a semi-cued recall task and a recognition test about the video. False memory feedback indicating lower relative performance was associated with significant increases in sensitivity to misinformation. The results are discussed in reference to the potential contributions that co-witnesses' perceptions of both their partner's reliability and their own reliability have on event memory.