Research Article

Narrative plausibility: the impact of sequence and anchoring

  1. David V. Canter Ph.D., F.A.P.A., F.B.Ps.S., C.Psychol.†,*,
  2. Nicola Grieve M.Sc.‡,
  3. Catherine Nicol M.Sc.§,
  4. Kelly Benneworth M.Sc.

Article first published online: 7 MAR 2003

DOI: 10.1002/bsl.528

Issue

Behavioral Sciences & the Law

Behavioral Sciences & the Law

Special Issue: Current Directions

Volume 21, Issue 2, pages 251–267, March/April 2003

Additional Information

How to Cite

Canter, D. V., Grieve, N., Nicol, C. and Benneworth, K. (2003), Narrative plausibility: the impact of sequence and anchoring. Behav. Sci. Law, 21: 251–267. doi: 10.1002/bsl.528

Author Information

  1. Centre for Investigative Psychology, Department of Psychology, The University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZA, U.K.

  1. †

    Professor Canter directs the Centre for Investigative Psychology, University of Liverpool.

  2. ‡

    Nicola Grieve is a graduate of the M.Sc. Investigative Psychology and is currently a researcher within the Centre for Investigative Psychology.

  3. §

    Catherine Nicol and Kelly Benneworth are graduates of the M.Sc. Investigative Psychology.

  4. Catherine Nicol and Kelly Benneworth are graduates of the M.Sc. Investigative Psychology.

*Centre for Investigative Psychology, Department of Psychology, The University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZA, U.K.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 7 MAR 2003
  2. Article first published online: 7 MAR 2003

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Abstract

The perceived plausibility of suspect narratives is hypothesized to be a product of more than logical evaluation. Aspects of the narrative's internal structure, notably the extent to which it follows a canonical (or stereotypical) sequence of events, may influence judged plausibility. Plausibility may also be sensitive to external “anchors” that activate relevant schema. To test these possibilities, variations of two suspect testimonies were created in accordance with the model by Stein and Glenn (1979) of a stereotypical story grammar, and the account by Wagenaar, van Koppen, and Crombag (1993) of narrative anchoring. Subjects rated the narrative account using a perceived plausibility scale developed from pilot work. ANOVA revealed that criminal anchoring in suspect statements, regardless of the crime scenario, has a negative effect on the plausibility level. Similarly, plausibility levels were lower when the statement did not follow a temporal sequence of events. The implications for models of how people judge plausibility are discussed, as are the practical implications for legal contexts. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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