The current essay forwards scientific evidence on the susceptibility of distorted memories by assessing false memories (remembrance of events which actually did not occur) in emotionally arousing situations. The Brazilian version of the Cahill, Prins, Weber and McGaugh's instruments and procedures adapted by Neufeld, Brust and Stein on the evaluation of the effect of emotion on memory and false memories were used. Misinformation effect on memory of 138 college students has been investigated. Misinformation material congruent to the story given in a newspaper article has also been tested. Results suggest that true memory has not been immune from errors and distortions even though it has apparently been supported by emotionally arousing events. In fact, misinformation seems to have assisted memory in the discrimination of the items suggested.
False memories; emotion; suggestibility
