Personality Correlates of Co-witness Suggestibility

The present study examined the relationship between co-witness suggestibility and individual differences in interpersonal characteristics. Participants (N=473) took part in an eyewitness simulation, five independent conditions were used to control for misinformation size. Using confederates, the researchers exposed participants to misinformation about the witnessed event, prior to collecting their statements. The participants then completed the Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation-Behaviour assessment (FIRO-B; Schutz, 1958), a measure of expressed and wanted control, affection, and inclusion. Results suggested that the wanted control dimension was an accurate predictor of co-witness suggestibility. Eyewitnesses who scored highly on Wanted Control, were significantly more likely to accept misinformation from co-witnesses; and were more likely to lose confidence in their own judgements, after a group discussion. In addition, the results suggest that the unanimity of misinformation, but not the size, had a significant influence on co-witness suggestibility.