This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Stillweli, A. M. Articles by Baumeister, R. F. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Stillweli, A. M. Articles by Baumeister, R. F. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

The Construction of Victim and Perpetrator Memories: Accuracy and Distortion in Role-Based Accounts

State University of New York College at Potsdam, stillwam{at}potsdam.edu

Roy F. Baumeister

Case Western Reserve University

To study how roles shape the construction of narrative accounts, participants read a story while identifying with its victim or perpetrator and then retold the story in their own words. In Study 2, participants told the story twice, the second time after a 3-to 5-day retention interval. In Study 3, some participants were given instructions to tell as accurate a story as possible. In all three studies, victims and perpetrators distorted to about the same extent, significantly more than control participants and especially by selective omission of uncongenial facts. Specific distortions suggested self-serving, role-based motivations. Perpetrators embellished mitigating circumstances and their own benevolent actions while omitting facts that emphasized severity and responsibility. Victims concentrated on details that described the severity of the offense and downplayed the perpetrator's positive actions.

Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, Vol. 23, No. 11, 1157-1172 (1997)
DOI: 10.1177/01461672972311004


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				B. M. Wilkowski and M. D. Robinson The Cognitive Basis of Trait Anger and Reactive Aggression: An Integrative Analysis Personality and Social Psychology Review, February 1, 2008; 12(1): 3 - 21. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. N. Kearns and F. D. Fincham Victim and Perpetrator Accounts of Interpersonal Transgressions: Self-Serving or Relationship-Serving Biases? Pers Soc Psychol Bull, March 1, 2005; 31(3): 321 - 333. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. M. Twenge and W. K. Campbell "Isn't It Fun to Get the Respect That We're Going to Deserve?" Narcissism, Social Rejection, and Aggression Pers Soc Psychol Bull, February 1, 2003; 29(2): 261 - 272. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. K. Gordon and A. G. Miller Perspective Differences in the Construal of Lies: Is Deception in the Eye of the Beholder? Pers Soc Psychol Bull, January 1, 2000; 26(1): 46 - 55. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. C. Georgesen, M. J. Harris, R. Milich, and J. Young "Just Teasing...": Personality Effects on Perceptions and Life Narratives of Childhood Teasing Pers Soc Psychol Bull, October 1, 1999; 25(10): 1254 - 1267. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. Schutz and R. F. Baumeister The Language of Defense: Linguistic Patterns in Narratives of Transgressions Journal of Language and Social Psychology, September 1, 1999; 18(3): 269 - 286. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. G. Miller, A. K. Gordon, and A. M. Buddie Accounting for Evil and Cruelty: Is to Explain to Condone? Personality and Social Psychology Review, August 1, 1999; 3(3): 254 - 268. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. Schuutz It was your Fault! Self-Serving Biases in Autobiographical Accounts of Conflicts in Married Couples Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, April 1, 1999; 16(2): 193 - 208. [Abstract] [PDF]

				R. M. Kramer Paranoid Cognition in Social Systems: Thinking and Acting in the Shadow of Doubt Personality and Social Psychology Review, November 1, 1998; 2(4): 251 - 275. [Abstract] [PDF]