What is the misinformation effect?

The misinformation effect refers to the phenomenon where a person's recall of an event becomes less accurate due to the introduction of misleading information after the event has occurred. This effect demonstrates how memory is not a perfect recording of past experiences; rather, it is reconstructed and can be influenced by various factors, including suggestions or misleading details encountered after the original experience.

When individuals receive incorrect information after an event, it can alter their memories and lead to the incorporation of those inaccuracies into their recollection. Research in cognitive psychology, particularly studies conducted by Elizabeth Loftus, has shown that individuals can confidently remember details that were never part of the original event due to exposure to misleading information.

In contrast, the other options relate to different aspects of memory. Improvement in recall refers to accurate information reinforcing memory rather than altering it. Better memory retention with accurate cues highlights the role of cues in memory retrieval without the misleading component. Recovering forgotten information through therapy is about therapeutic techniques aimed at enhancing memory access, which does not specifically address the impact of misinformation. Thus, the correct identification of the misinformation effect clearly points to how post-event information can distort memory recall.