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Research Article
Reality-monitoring characteristics in confirmed and doubtful allegations of child sexual abuse
Article first published online: 1 SEP 2009
DOI: 10.1002/acp.1600
Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Additional Information
How to Cite
Roberts, K. P. and Lamb, M. E. (2010), Reality-monitoring characteristics in confirmed and doubtful allegations of child sexual abuse. Appl. Cognit. Psychol., 24: 1049–1079. doi: 10.1002/acp.1600
Publication History
- Issue published online: 1 SEP 2009
- Article first published online: 1 SEP 2009
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Abstract
According to reality-monitoring theory, memories of experienced and imagined events are qualitatively different, and can be distinguished by children from the age of 3. Across three studies, a total of 119 allegations of sexual abuse by younger (aged 3–8) and older (aged 9–16) children were analysed for developmental differences in the presence of reality-monitoring criteria, which should characterise descriptions of experienced events. Statements were deemed likely or unlikely to be descriptions of actual incidents using independent case information (e.g. medical evidence). Accounts by older children consistently contained more reality-monitoring criteria than those provided by younger children, and age differences were particularly strong when the cases were deemed doubtful (Studies 1 and 2). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.