Pre-Schoolers’ Reports of Conflicting Points Secretly Inserted into a Co-Witnessed Event: An Experimental Investigation Using the MORI Technique

Abstract

Thirteen pre-school and ten undergraduate pairs participated as eyewitnesses to a simulated criminal event presented through animated cartoons using a presentation trick (MORI technique). Although there were two different versions, the MORI technique had participants observe only one version without being aware of the other. In three reporting sessions, participants recalled what they presumed they had jointly observed; individually immediately after the presentation, collaboratively after the individual recall, and again individually one week later. The main results were: pre-schoolers, as well as undergraduates, showed better recall in the collaborative tests, though the former generally showed poorer recall than the latter, pre-schoolers tended to conform more frequently than undergraduates in the week-later tests, and both pre-school and undergraduate pairs conformed more often for amendment than distortion.

Is your memory better than mine? Investigating the mechanisms and determinants of the memory conformity effect using a modified MORI technique

“…The MORI technique is often applied in research into memory conformity (e.g., French et al, 2008, 2011; Garry et al, 2008; Hirokawa et al, 2006; Ito et al, 2019; Mori & Kitabayashi, 2009; Mori & Mori, 2008; Mori & Takahashi, 2012; Tainaka et al, 2014) because, unlike other experimental procedures, it significantly reduces the risk that subjects will suspect manipulation, especially when they disagree on some details. Furthermore, the MORI technique brings laboratory conditions closer to real‐life situations in which witnesses talk about a crime and are then individually interviewed by the police.…”

Reinforced self‐affirmation as a method for reducing eyewitness memory conformity: An experimental examination using a modified MORI technique

“…Several studies using the MORI technique have successfully provided solid evidence for the co‐witness suggestibility effect (French, Garry, & Mori, 2008, 2011; Garry et al, 2008; Kanematsu et al, 1996/2003; Mori & Kitabayashi, 2009; Mori & Mori, 2008; Mori & Takahashi, 2012; Tainaka, Miyoshi, & Mori, 2014). Importantly, this effect seems to be robust and common to many cultures (e.g., Ito et al, 2019).…”

Eyewitness memory distortion following co-witness discussion: A replication of Garry, French, Kinzett, and Mori (2008) in ten countries.

“…Studies using the MORI technique have demonstrated the co-witness suggestibility effect under various situations and with different ages, genders, and interpersonal relations among the co-witness pairs (French, Garry, & Mori, 2008, 2011; Garry et al, 2008; Hirokawa, Matsuno, Mori, & Ukita, 2006; Kanematsu et al, 1996/2003; Mori & Kitabayashi, 2009; Mori & Mori, 2008; Mori & Takahashi, 2012; Tainaka et al, 2014). Research shows that misinformation gleaned from co-witnesses is particularly powerful when individuals do not have a clear recollection on which to rely, or when the participant views the co-witness as more confident or as having a more reliable memory (Wright et al, 2009).…”