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Coaching, Truth Induction, and Young Maltreated Children’s False Allegations and False Denials
Author(s) -
Lyon Thomas D.,
Malloy Lindsay C.,
Quas Jodi A.,
Talwar Victoria A.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
child development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.103
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1467-8624
pISSN - 0009-3920
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2008.01167.x
Subject(s) - psychology , recall , lying , coaching , oath , suggestibility , developmental psychology , social psychology , false memory , false accusation , meaning (existential) , deception , lie detection , cognitive psychology , psychotherapist , medicine , law , political science , radiology
This study examined the effects of coaching (encouragement and rehearsal of false reports) and truth induction (a child‐friendly version of the oath or general reassurance about the consequences of disclosure) on 4‐ to 7‐year‐old maltreated children’s reports ( N = 198). Children were questioned using free recall, repeated yes–no questions, and highly suggestive suppositional questions. Coaching impaired children’s accuracy. For free‐recall and repeated yes–no questions, the oath exhibited some positive effects, but this effect diminished in the face of highly suggestive questions. Reassurance had few positive effects and no ill effects. Neither age nor understanding of the meaning and negative consequences of lying consistently predicted accuracy. The results support the utility of truth induction in enhancing the accuracy of child witnesses’ reports.