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MENTAL MODEL · M1669

Misinformation Effect

Misinformation Effect
Learn & MetacognitionHigh supportMemory Psychology
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

Human memory is not a video playback but a reconstruction. If misleading information is received after an event (e.g., suggestive questioning: "How fast were the cars going when they smashed into each other?" vs. "How fast were the cars going when they contacted each other?"), people may implant false details into their memories and sincerely "recall" events that never happened.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

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- Be cautious in retrospectives: In team retrospectives, the leader's questioning style is crucial. Suggestive questioning can rewrite employees' memories, turning the retrospective into a "blame game" rather than a search for truth.

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Memory is reconstruction, not playback; misleading information received after an event integrates with the original memory, forming erroneous but firmly believed details. The wording of questions itself rewrites memory.

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Source support: Explicit

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    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misinformation_effectZH · Explicit
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