Question

Just before an episode of a popular talk show, a fake crime was committed in which a man stole a woman's handbag and then ran off. The "crime" was staged right next to the line of people waiting to get into the show. One of the people in line was also part of the setup. As the bystanders begin talking about the robbery, he asked a few of them if they had noticed what was written on the robber's hat. The robber, however, had not worn a hat. Yet, when later questioned by "police," some of the witnesses reported that the robber was wearing a hat. Which flaw of memory best explains this fault?

Answer 1

Answer:

Suggestibility.

Explanation:

'Suggestibility' is demonstrated as the one of the seven sins of memory that involves inclusion of false suggestions in our memory. It is described as the acceptance of overt information/suggestion. Since our memory is often affected by our past memories and even a slight emphasis is laid on some specific attributes, the individuals accept them in their memory without judging its validity.

As per the question, the 'suggestibility' flaw of memory is explained with the given fault as the slight emphasis on the a past memory(robbery event by asking about noticing the robber's hat) the witnesses includes this false suggestion in their memory(as the witnesses report that the robber wore a hat even though he had not worn a hat at all) without checking its credibility. Thus, it exemplify 'suggestibility' sin of memory.