THE SOCIAL-PSYCHOLOGY OF FALSE CONFESSIONS - COMPLIANCE, INTERNALIZATION, AND CONFABULATION

An experiment demonstrated that false incriminating evidence can lead people to accept guilt for a clime they did riot commit. Subjects in a fast- or slow-paced reaction time task were accused of damaging a com puter by pressing the wrong key. All were truly innocent and initially denied the charge. A confederate then said she saw the subject hit th e key or did not see the subject hit the key. Compared with subjects i n the slow-pace/no-witness group, those in the fast-pace/witness group were more likely to sign a confession, internalize guilt for the even t, and confabulate details in memory consistent with that belief. Both legal and conceptual implications are discussed.