THE POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF THE IMPLANTED MEMORY PARADIGM ON CHILD SUBJECTS

The purpose of this article is to examine the appropriate use of the i mplanted memory paradigm with children. In this paradigm, participants are asked repeatedly about fictitious events that never transpired. T he responses of children in these investigations demonstrate clearly t hat they can be led to unintentionally create false memories. This art icle addresses whether memory research should continue to encourage ch ildren to create memories for events that never happened. The literatu re in other areas of psychology suggests that deception may lessen res pect for authority, affect a child's self-esteem, and create stress. W e propose that the use of the implanted memory paradigm he suspended i ndefinitely or until appropriate research demonstrates that the paradi gm does not affect children negatively. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons. Lt d.