Question

After being verbally threatened by a person in a passing car, Samantha was asked if she recognized the man who was driving the car. Several hours later, Samantha mistakenly recalled that the driver was male rather than female. Samantha's experience BEST illustrates the _____ effect.

Answer 1

Answer: The correct answer is: Missinformation effect.

Explanation: The misinformation effect occurs when a person recalls an event inaccurately thanks to receiving different information after the event.

For instance, Lucas got mugged on Saturday by a man holding a knife. He was with Josh, his long-time friend who mistakenly recalled that the man that mugged them had a gun with him. After hearing this, Lucas recalled the gun as well when in reality, there wasn't a gun.

In this particular case, Samatha was threatened by a woman, after a while she was asked if she recognized the man who was driving the car which in turned led her to mistakenly recall that it was a man rather than a woman the one who threatened her.

In conclusion, the correct answer is Misinformation effect.