Dear Colleagues,

Witnessing an event implies a strong association between memory, possible sources of cognitive or social distortion and vulnerability to suggestibility factors. These factors can intervene both at the time of coding the event and during the recall phase, both in children and adults. Several social, cognitive and emotional-psychological factors can guarantee an accurate memory or which on the contrary can cause a modification of the original memory (for example distortions, post-event information, social pressures, misleading questions, but also the presence of emotional disturbances or post-traumatic stress disorder). Understanding the mechanisms underlying the autobiographical memory and the testify skills in children and adults can have an important impact in forensic applicative context.

The main objective of this research topic is to provide an overview of the most recent high-quality research that detect the main cognitive processes and socio-emotional factors that affect autobiographical memory, narrative skills and self processes. Studies conducted in experimental, clinical or forensic contexts will be collected and aimed at both children and adults participants who will highlight which factors favor the encoding, conservation, and recall of the events especially those of particular relevance, such as accidents, crimes, diseases, etc.

Topic involved also studies conducted particular patients suffering from diseases or deficits that affect or more cognitive, emotional and expressive abilities, and in forensic contexts among witness or a victim by analyzing not only the ability to recall what was experienced but also if aspects of confabulation and suggestion.

Original studies, methodological papers, systematic reviews, reviews, or mini-reviews, theoretical works, brief research reports, general commentaries and perspective papers may be accepted on the following research topic:

- Relationship between Autobiographical memory, suggestibility, and narrative skills

- Psychopathology and impact on autobiographical competence in forensic applications

- Cognitive, social, and emotional factors that affect autobiographical memory in eyewitness

- Measurement of autobiographical memory, psychometric properties of tests in young and older populations

While studies addressing the topic themes are strongly encouraged, contributors may also consider other approaches or topics not specifically mentioned.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

 

Dr. Monia Vagni

Section Editor

 

 

witness; testimony skills; suggestibility; autobiographical memory; crime victim; false memories; misinformation; police interview; confabulation; memory processes