Misleading post-event information

From MerrimackWiki

Definition

MPI is caused by misleading information presented after a person witnesses an event that can change how that person describes that event later and can also alter their memory concerning the event. It can change what participants report they saw and their conclusions about other characteristics of the situation.

Significance

This phenomenon was studied extensively by Elizabeth Loftus, whose famous demonstration of MPI is in the study involving photos of a car crash involving a red Datsun. MPI has the ability to change a person's memory based on the nature of the questions asked about it. Wording can also affect a person's memory of an event or situation. For example, when asking a bystander how fast a car was going when it smashed into the guardrail will elicit a much higher number than asking someone how fast a car was going when it bumped into the guardrail.