coexistence hypothesis

a theoretical explanation of the misinformation effect stating that when misleading information is introduced after a witnessed event, it exists in competition with the original memory of the event. The false information is more accessible due to the recency effect and is more likely to be retrieved upon questioning, leading to erroneous reporting of the event. Compare alteration hypothesis.

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Psychology term of the day

March 16th 2025

state-dependent behavior

actions that are affected by one’s emotional state, such as saying something hurtful to another while angry.