Research article summary (published 30 May 2001):

Effects of past abuse experiences on children's eyewitness memory.

Full Abstract

Relations between child maltreatment and children's eyewitness memory were examined. A matched sample of abused and nonabused 3- to 10-year-old children (n = 70) participated in a play session with an unfamiliar adult and were interviewed about the interaction 2 weeks later. Consistent with results from previous research, older compared to younger children's reports were more complete and accurate. Abused and nonabused children performed similarly with several exceptions: Nonabused children were more accurate in answering specific questions, made fewer errors in identifying the unfamiliar adult in a photo identification task, and (at least for younger boys) freely recalled more information. Most effects remained when group differences in IQ and behavioral symptomology were statistically controlled. Importantly, abused and nonabused children did not differ in their accuracy or suggestibility in response to questions that were relevant to abusive actions. Among abused children, however, those who suffered more severe sexual abuse made more omission errors to specific abuse-relevant questions. Contributions to psychological theory and legal implications for understanding children's eyewitness memory and testimony are discussed.

Author information

Author/s: Goodman, G S (GS); Bottoms, B L (BL); Rudy, L (L); Davis, S L (SL); Schwartz-Kenney, B M (BM);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, 95616, USA. ggoodman(-atsign-)ucdavis.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Clinical Trial; Controlled Clinical Trial; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Law and human behavior (Law Hum Behav), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2001-Jun; vol 25 (issue 3) : pp 269-98

Dates: Created 2001/08/01; Completed 2001/08/23; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 11480804, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Age Factors Analysis of Variance Child Child Abuse - legislation & jurisprudence; psychology Child Abuse, Sexual - psychology Child, Preschool

Female Humans Male Mental Recall Sex Factors Suggestion

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