CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/loose.dtd"> <html lang="en-au" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/Article"> <head> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1"> <title>Why preschoolers make less reliable witnesses &rsaquo; News in Science (ABC Science)</title> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2014/10/08/4089665.htm"> <link rel="schema.DC" href="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"> <link rel="schema.DCTERMS" href="http://purl.org/dc/terms/"> <link rel="schema.ABC" href="http://metadataregistry.org/uri/abc/elements/"> <link rel="schema.ABCTERMS" href="http://metadataregistry.org/uri/abc/terms/"> <link rel="schema.iptc" href="urn:newsml:iptc.org:20031010:topicset.iptc-genre:8"> <meta name="keywords" content="psychology, child, memory"> <meta name="DC.title" content="Why preschoolers make less reliable witnesses"> <meta name="description" content="Preschool aged children store less information in their brain and are more likely to report false memories than older children, suggests a new study."> <meta name="DC.description" content=""> <meta name="DC.coverage.postcode" content=""> <meta name="DC.creator.CorporateName" content="Australian Broadcasting Corporation"> <meta name="DC.date" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" content="2014-10-08T11:15:00+11:00"> <meta name="DC.format" scheme="DCTERMS.IMT" content="text/html"> <meta name="DC.identifier" scheme="DCTERMS.URI" content="https://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2014/10/08/4089665.htm"> <meta name="DC.language" scheme="DCTERMS.RFC3066" content="en-AU"> <meta name="DC.publisher.CorporateName" content="Australian Broadcasting Corporation"> <meta name="DC.rights" scheme="DCTERMS.URI" content="https://www.abc.net.au/common/copyrigh.htm"> <meta name="DC.rightsHolder" content="ABC"> <meta name="DC.subject" scheme="ABCTERMS.subject" content="Community and Society:Child Abuse;Health:Child Health and Behaviour;Science and Technology:Psychology"> <meta name="DC.type" content="item"> <meta name="DC.type" scheme="iptc-genre" content="Current News"> <meta name="DCTERMS.issued" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" content="2014-10-08T11:15:00+11:00"> <meta name="DCTERMS.modified" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" content="2014-10-08T11:22:00+11:00"> <meta name="DCTERMS.spatial" content=""> <meta name="ABC.structuralGenre" content="Article"> <meta name="ABC.site" content="science"> <meta name="ABC.editorialGenre" content="Current News"> <meta name="ABC.tags" content="child-abuse;child-health-and-behaviour;psychology"> <meta property="og:title" content="Why preschoolers make less reliable witnesses"> <meta property="og:description" content="Preschool aged children store less information in their brain and are more likely to report false memories than older children, suggests a new study."> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2014/10/08/4089665.htm"> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.abc.net.au/reslib/201409/r1330851_18506674.jpg"> <meta property="og:image:type" content="image/jpeg"> <meta property="og:image:width" content="700"> <meta property="og:image:height" content="700"> <meta itemprop="name" content="Why preschoolers make less reliable witnesses"> <meta itemprop="description" content="Preschool aged children store less information in their brain and are more likely to report false memories than older children, suggests a new study."> <meta name="WT.cg_n" content="news"> <meta name="WT.cg_s" content="Site_science;Topic_latest">   <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="screen, projection" href="/res/abc/styles/screen.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="print" href="/res/abc/styles/print.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="handheld" href="/res/abc/styles/handheld.css">    <script type="text/javascript" src="/res/libraries/abcjs/abc.js"></script> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="Screen" title="Default" href="/science/css/2009/scienceScreen.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="print" href="/science/css/print.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="handheld" href="/science/css/handheld.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="screen" href="/science/css/2009/genre/news.css">       <script type="text/javascript" src="/science/js/2009/menus.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/science/js/2009/common.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/science/js/abcNews/common.2007.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/science/js/showHide.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/res/libraries/jquery/jquery-1.7.1.min.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/science/js/jquery.ui.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/science/js/jquery.ui.accordion.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/res/libraries/swfobject/swfobject-2.2.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/res/libraries/cinerama2/scripts/cinerama2.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/science/js/abc.science.js"></script> [an error occurred while processing this directive]  <link rel="home" title="ABC Science Home" href="/science/default.htm"> <link rel="about" title="About this site" href="/science/about/default.htm"> <link rel="publisher" href="https://plus.google.com/110895498373905369329" /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="News in Science: Latest" href="https://www.abc.net.au/science/news/topic/latest/latest.xml"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://www.abc.net.au/science/img/touch-icon-iphone.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="72x72" href="https://www.abc.net.au/science/img/touch-icon-ipad.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="114x114" href="https://www.abc.net.au/science/img/touch-icon-iphone4.png" /> </head> <body id="news" class="article story4089665 latest psychology "><a name="top"></a> <div id="skipToNav"><a href="#siteNav">Skip to navigation</a> | <a href="#mainContent">Skip to content</a></div>  <div id="abcNav"> <div id="abcNavWrapper">  <ul id="abcNavSearch"> <li><a href="https://search.abc.net.au/">Search</a></li> </ul> <ul id="abcNavMenu"> <li id="abcNavHome"><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/" title="ABC Home"><img src="https://www.abc.net.au/res/abc/logos/nav_logo.png" alt="ABC Home" width="61" height="16"></a></li> <li id="abcNavRadio"><a href="https://radio.abc.net.au/">Radio</a></li> <li id="abcNavTV"><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/tv/">TV</a></li> <li id="abcNavShop"><a href="https://shop.abc.net.au/">Shop</a></li> <li id="abcNavNews"><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/">News</a></li> <li id="abcNavSport"><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/sport/">Sport</a></li> <li id="abcNavLocal"><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/local/">Local</a></li> <li id="abcNavKids"><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/children/">Children</a></li> <li id="abcNavScience"><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/science/">Science</a></li> <li id="abcNavEnvironment"><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/environment/">Environment</a></li> <li id="abcNavTopics"><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/more/">More…</a></li> <li id="abcNavHelp"><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/help/">Help</a></li> </ul> </div> </div>  <div id="wrapperBody"> <div id="wrapperHeader"> <div class="archiveBanner"><h2>This site is being redeveloped. For all the latest ABC Science content click <a href="/news/science/" style="color:#FFF;text-decoration:underline">here</a>.</h2></div> <div id="header"> <h1><a href="/news/science/"><img src="/science/img/2007/abcScience.png" border="0" align="right" alt="ABC Science" id="mainLogo"></a></h1> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div id="wrapperSiteNav"> <div id="siteNav"> <h3>Site Navigation</h3> <div class="siteBling"> <ul class="multiMediaLinks"> <li class="multiMedia navVideo"><a href="/news/science/">Video</a></li> <li class="multiMedia navAudio"><a href="/news/science/">Audio</a></li> <li class="multiMedia navPhotos"><a href="/science/photos/">Photos</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="clear"></div> <div class="siteLinks"> <ul id="topicsLinks"> <li class="navlink "><a name="exploreByTopic" id="exploreByTopic">Explore by topic</a> <ul id="topicsList"> <li class="navTopicAncient"><a href="/news/science/nature/" class="first ancient"><span>Ancient Worlds</span></a></li> <li class="navTopicHuman"><a href="/news/science/humans" class="human"><span>Being Human</span></a></li> <li class="navTopicEnergy"><a href="/news/science/" class="energy"><span>Energy & Transport</span></a></li> <li class="navTopicEnviro"><a href="/news/science/nature/" class="enviro"><span>Environment & Nature</span></a></li> <li class="navTopicHealth"><a href="/news/science/humans/" class="health"><span>Health & Medical</span></a></li> <li class="navTopicTech"><a href="/news/technology/" class="tech"><span>Innovation & Technology</span></a></li> <li class="navTopicSpace last"><a href="/news/science/space" class="space"><span class="last">Space & Astronomy</span></a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> <ul class="genreLinks"> <li class="navlink navNews selected"><a href="/news/science" class="genreRoot">News in Science</a></li> <li class="navlink navInDepth"><a href="/news/science/" class="genreRoot">In Depth</a></li> <li class="navlink navK2"><a href="/science/drkarl/" class="genreRoot">Dr Karl</a> <ul id="subnavDrkarl"> <li><a href="/science/drkarl/greatmomentsinscience/"><span>Great Moments in Science</span></a></li> <li><a href="/science/drkarl/scienceontriplej"><span class="radio">Dr Karl on triplej</span></a></li> <li><a href="/science/drkarl/trek/"><span>Karl Trek</span></a></li> <li><a href="/tv/sleekgeeks/"><span>Sleek Geeks</span></a></li> <li><a href="/science/sleekgeeks/eureka/"><span>School's video prize</span></a></li> <li class="last"><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/karl-kruszelnicki/8462002"><span>Karl Who?</span></a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="navlink navQandA"><a href="/news/science/" class="genreRoot">Ask an Expert</a></li> <li class="navlink navBasics"><a href="/news/science/" class="genreRoot">Bernie's Basics</a></li> <li class="navlink navGames"><a href="/news/science/" class="genreRoot">Quizzes & Games</a> </li> <li class="navlink navTeachers"><a href="/science/surfingscientist/" class="genreRoot">Teaching Science</a> <ul id="subnavLearn"> <li><a href="/science/surfingscientist/lessonplans/"><span>Lesson Plans</span></a></li> <li><a href="/science/surfingscientist/conundrums/"><span>Conundrums</span></a></li> <li><a href="/science/surfingscientist/demonstrations/"><span>Demonstrations</span></a></li> <li class="last"><a href="/science/careers/"><span><strong>Careers</strong></span></a></li> <li><a href="/science/careers/acedayjobs/"><span>Ace Day Jobs</span></a></li> <li><a href="/science/careers/talkingscience/"><span>Talking Science</span></a></li> <li class="last"><a href="/science/careers/catapult/"><span>Catapult on triplej</span></a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="clear"></div> </div> </div> </div>  <div id="wrapperContent"> <div id="content"><a name="mainContent"></a> <div id="contentInner"> <div id="story"> <ul id="functions"> <li><a class="addthis_button" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300&pubid=ra-50a5d7654b2b47d3"><span class="share i16 black"> </span>Share</a></li> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-50a5d7654b2b47d3" async="async"></script> <li><a href="javascript:window.print()"><span class="print i16 black"> </span>Print</a></li> </ul> <p id="breadcrumb"><span><a href="/science/news/?site=science">News in Science</a> </span></p>  <h1><span>Why preschoolers make less reliable witnesses</span></h1> <p class="byline"><span class="date">Wednesday, 8 October 2014</span> <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/profiles/content/s2193248.htm?site=science">Anna Salleh</a><br><span class="author">ABC</span></p><hr noshade size="1" class="lineBreakTop" /><div class="right"> <div id="storyRelatedMedia"> <div id="storyPhotos" class="photo imgBox"><a id="storyPhotosLink" href="https://www.abc.net.au/reslib/201409/r1330851_18506665.jpg"><img id="storyPhotosImg" src="https://www.abc.net.au/reslib/201409/r1330851_18506665.jpg" alt="young child" class="featureImg"></a><p id="storyPhotosCaption" class="caption">How reliable are preschool children as eyewitnesses? <em>(Source: ambrozinio/iStockphoto)</em></p> </div><script type="text/javascript"></script></div> <div id="related"> <h3>Related Stories</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/science/articles/2007/07/31/1989229.htm">Timing in child abuse interviews crucial</a>, Science Online, 31 Jul 2007</li> <li><a href="/science/articles/2011/07/01/3257798.htm">Scans reveal how we change memories</a>, Science Online, 06 Jul 2011</li> <li><a href="/science/articles/2012/09/04/3582581.htm">Brain 'switches between maths and memory'</a>, Science Online, 05 Sep 2012</li> </ul> </div> </div> <p class="first"><span class="slug">Children's memory</span> Preschool aged children store less information in their brain and are more likely to report false memories than older children, suggests a new study.</p> <p>The research, published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bjdp.12063" target="_blank"><em>British Journal of Developmental Psychology</em></a>, reiterates the need for caution when using children under the age of five as eyewitnesses.</p> <p>"This [study] would support the idea that six-year-olds may provide more accurate testimony than four-year-olds," says Dr Kerry Chalmers, a psychologist from the <a href="http://www.newcastle.edu.au/" target="_blank">University of Newcastle</a>.</p> <p>Giving a reliable eyewitness account of a crime involves remembering not only what happened (referred to by researchers as the 'item') but also linking this to a time, place or identity of the perpetrator (referred to as the 'source').</p> <p>Chalmers designed a study involving 20 children of average age of four and 20 children of average age of six to investigate how reliable children were at remembering item and source.</p> <p>Each child was presented with a set of pictures on a computer screen -- for example, an apple, house or flower -- and each picture (item) was accompanied by a puppet (source) and the child was told that the picture belonged to that puppet.</p> <p>The children were shown images on two consecutive days with a different puppet each day, and were then asked about what they saw and which puppet was involved.</p> <p>The researchers found the older children offered more reliable answers than the younger participants.</p><h3>Reasons for the difference</h3><p>Chalmers says the study was able to show underlying reasons for these age differences.</p> <p>Firstly, they younger children had a much higher rate of "false recognition" of items than the older children, saying they had seen pictures before that were not even shown in the study.</p> <p>"They are willing to say they've seen something before when they haven't," says Chalmers. </p> <p>The younger children falsely recalled having seen a picture 40 per cent of the time, whereas for the older children the rate was only 7.5 per cent.</p> <p>Secondly, the younger children were better at recognising pictures presented on the first day than the following day.</p> <p>Researchers refer to this as "proactive interference", says Chalmers, in which things we learn earlier have a negative impact on things that we learn later.</p> <p>"From the child perspective, in unscientific language, it may be that the memory banks are already full and there is less room for more information," she says.</p> <p>Chalmers says while previous research has suggested that younger children are not as reliable as eyewitnesses, this is the first study to control for false recognition in combination with studying children's ability to recall item and source over consecutive days.</p><h3>Value of younger witnesses</h3><p>Pscyhologist Professor Brett Hayes, of University of New South Wales, says the study confirms that item memory and source memory improve together with age and that caution is required when taking eyewitness statements from children under five.</p> <p>But he says it's important not to ignore the value of younger witnesses.</p> <p>Hayes says child eyewitnesses are usually aged between six and 16 years, however in some cases children as young as three or four years may be called.</p> <p>He says children are most commonly asked to give eyewitness statements in cases of alleged child abuse.</p> <p>"In such cases the victim is often the key witness," says Hayes, who does a lot of work on the development of children's memory.</p> <p>"All things being equal a six-year-old is probably going to have a better memory than a four-year-old but that's not to say that a four-year-old couldn't actually remember things that would be quite useful to the court."</p> <p>Hayes says that age is only one factor in determining how well a child remembers an event.</p> <p>A child is more likely to remember an emotionally disturbing event such as a physical assault than a picture of a house in an experiment, he says.</p> <p>"We have to be a bit careful saying younger kids' source memory is weaker than older kids. It also depends on the strength of the memory when it's laid down."</p> <p class="tags"><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="/science/tag/browse.htm?site=science&topic=latest&tag=child-abuse">child-abuse</a>, <a href="/science/tag/browse.htm?site=science&topic=latest&tag=child-health-and-behaviour">child-health-and-behaviour</a>, <a href="/science/tag/browse.htm?site=science&topic=latest&tag=psychology">psychology</a></p>  <div class="clear"></div> <div id="artShareLinks"> <p class="right"><a href="/science/contact/?contact=newsinscience" class="editor" title="Contact the News in Science editor"><span class="email i16"></span>Email the editor</a></p> <ul id="artShareTabs" class="tabClick"> <li><a href="#artBookmarks" rel="artBookmarks">Share this article</a></li><li><a href="#sendToFriend" rel="sendToFriend">Email a friend</a></li> </ul> <div class="clear"></div> <div id="artBookmarks" class="tabContent" style="display: block;"> <p>Use these social-bookmarking links to share <strong>Why preschoolers make less reliable witnesses</strong>.</p>  <ul> <li class="share stumbleupon"><a class="addthis_button_stumbleupon_badge"></a></li> <li class="share facebook"><a class="addthis_button_facebook_like" fb:like:layout="button_count"></a></li> <li class="share twitter"> <a class="addthis_button_tweet"></a> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script> </li> <li class="share googlePlus"><a class="addthis_button_google_plusone" g:plusone:size="medium"></a></li> <li class="share shareAll"><a class="addthis_counter addthis_pill_style"></a></li> </ul> <script type="text/javascript"> var addthis_config = { services_compact: 'reddit,stumbleupon,facebook,twitter,email,print', // Address bar tracking for AddThis // data_track_addressbar: true, // services_expanded: 'tumblr,reddit,email,print,stumbleupon,facebook,google_plusone,twitter,delicious,digg,google,pinterest,blogger,bitly,fark,gmail', ui_offset_top: '15' } </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-50a5d7654b2b47d3" async="async"></script>  <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div id="sendToFriend" class="tabContent" style="display:none;"> <p>Use this form to email <strong>'Why preschoolers make less reliable witnesses'</strong> to someone you know:<br> <small>https://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2014/10/08/4089665.htm?</small></p> <form action="/cgi-bin/common/mailto/mailtouser-nojs.pl" method="post" id="stf_form"> <input type="hidden" name="page" value="https://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2014/10/08/4089665.htm?"> <input type="hidden" name="presname" value=""> <fieldset> <legend>Recipient</legend> <label for="sendtoname">Friend's name</label><input type="text" name="sendtoname" id="sendtoname" class="stf"> <label for="sendto">Friend's email</label><input type="text" name="sendto" id="sendto" class="stf"> </fieldset> <fieldset> <legend>Sender</legend> <label for="fromname">Your name</label><input type="text" name="fromname" id="fromname" class="stf"> <label for="from">Your email</label><input type="text" name="from" id="from" class="stf"> </fieldset> <tr> <tr> <td valign="top"></td> <td> <style type="button" class="submitbtn" value="Get New Image"></style> <script type="text/javascript" src="/includes/refreshcaptcha.js"></script> <span id="captchaholder">[an error occurred while processing this directive]</span>   <button type="button" title="Get a new captcha image" alt="Get a new captcha image" onclick="javascript:loadXMLDoc('//'+location.host+'/includes/refreshcaptcha.htm?'+Math.floor(Math.random()*100))" value="Get a new captcha image" id="getNewCaptcha" name="getNewCaptcha"><span>Get New Image</span></button> </td> </tr> <tr> <fieldset> <td valign="top"></td> <td> <legend>Enter Captcha</legend>  <input name="captcha_input_text" maxlength="6" value="" id="captchatext" class="input" title="Insert captcha text here" type="text" /> </td> </fieldset> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"></td> <td></td> <td><script type="text/javascript"> // do this to refresh captcha when clicking back button in browser window.onload = function() {loadXMLDoc('//'+location.host+'/includes/refreshcaptcha.htm?'+Math.floor(Math.random()*100));} </script></td> </tr> </tr> <fieldset id="sendButtons"> <legend style="display:none;">Email to friend</legend> <input type="submit" name="Send" value="Email a friend"> <input type="reset" name="Clear" value="Clear"> </fieldset> <p><small>By clicking 'Send to a friend' you agree ABC Online is not responsible for the content contained in your email message.</small></p> </form> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="clear"></div> <script type="text/javascript"></script> </div>  </div> <div id="scienceSearch">  <form class="searchKeyword" action="https://search.abc.net.au/search/search.cgi" method="get"> <input name="form" value="simple" type="hidden"> <input name="num_tiers" value="1" type="hidden"> <input name="num_ranks" value="20" type="hidden"> <input name="collection" value="abcall" type="hidden"> <input name="meta_v" id="scienceAll" value="science" type="hidden"> <fieldset> <legend><a href="https://search.abc.net.au/search/search.cgi?collection=abcall&form=simple&meta_v=science%2Farticles&query=Science" class="archiveKeyword">Search ABC Science</a></legend><em class="readMore"><a href="/science/articles/archive/?section=2025">Browse the archive</a> </em> <p><input name="query" id="query" size="25" maxlength="50" type="text"> <input value="Search" type="submit"></p> </fieldset> </form> </div>    <div id="browse" class="latest"> <div id="smfollow"> <h3>Follow us</h3> <ul>  <li><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/science/contact/lists/updates/"><img src="/science/css/img/sm_email_btn.gif" alt="Subscribe to our email alert"/></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/"><img src="/science/css/img/sm_podcast_btn.gif" alt="Latest audio and podcasts"/></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/abcscienceonline/"><img src="/science/css/img/youtube_icon.jpg" alt="ABC Science on YouTube"/></a></li> <li><a href="http://www.facebook.com/ABCScience"><img src="/science/css/img/sm_facebook_btn.gif" alt="Follow us on Facebook"/></a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/abcscience"><img src="/science/css/img/sm_twitter_btn.gif" alt="Follow us on Twitter"/></a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="newsHighlights"> <h3 class="related topNews"><a href="/science/news/?site=science&topic=latest">Latest News</a></h3> <ul class="latest"> <li class="item01"><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2017-08-30/ancient-whales-fearsome-predators-with-razor-sharp-teeth/8852578?site=science/news&topic=latest">Ancient whales were fearsome predators with razor-sharp teeth, fossil analysis shows</a></li> <li class="item02"><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2017-08-10/art-of-science-winners-focus-on-the-beauty-of-the-human-body/8781574?site=science/news&topic=latest">Focus on the beauty of the human body</a></li> <li class="item03"><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2017-08-03/australian-trapdoor-spider-may-be-an-african-castaway/8759658?site=science/news&topic=latest">Australian trapdoor spider may be a seafaring castaway from Africa</a></li> <li class="item04"><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2017-07-29/molecule-found-on-saturn-moon-titan-clue-in-hunt-for-life/8749752?site=science/news&topic=latest">Molecule discovery on Titan an intriguing clue in hunt for life</a></li> <li class="item05"><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2017-07-28/ancient-dna-shows-canaanites-survived-biblical-slaughter/8749264?site=science/news&topic=latest">Ancient DNA shows Canaanites survived Biblical 'slaughter'</a></li> </ul> <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/science/news/topic/latest/latest.xml" class="rss" title="Latest News in Science web feed"><span>Latest news web feed</span></a> </div>  <div class="primarySubject psychology"> <h3><a href="/science/tag/browse.htm?tag=psychology">You might also be interested in <strong class="lowercase">Psychology </strong></a></h3> <ul class="latest"> <li class="item001"><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2017-04-26/six-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-fetishes/8455060">Fetishes: there's more to them than leather and kinky boots</a></li> <li class="item002"><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2017-04-22/horak-levin-family-finds-path-through-holocaust-trauma/8461534">A journey of dealing with intergenerational trauma</a></li> <li class="item003"><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-04/tone-deaf-or-musical-whizz-quiz/8274056">Quiz: Do you have a good musical ear?</a></li> <li class="item004"><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-01/so-you-think-you-cant-sing/8273516">So you think you can't sing? It could be all in your mind</a></li> <li class="item005"><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/greatmomentsinscience/never-too-late-to-overcome-chronic-lateness/7960286"><em>Dr Karl: </em>It's never too late to overcome chronic lateness</a></li> </ul> <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/science/tag/psychology/rss.xml" class="rss" title="Psychology news and features web feed"><span>Psychology news and features web feed</span></a> </div>    </div> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div id="footerWrapper"> <div id="siteFooter"> <div id="siteMap"> <h3><em><a href="/science/about.htm">About<span> |</span></a><a href="/science/contact/">Contact<span> | </span></a></em><a href="/science/">ABC Science</a></h3> <div class="marginator"> <div class="sideBySide3 one"> <h4>Sections</h4> <ul> <li class="first"><a href="/news/science/">News in Science</a></li> <li><a href="/news/science/">In Depth</a></li> <li><a href="/science/drkarl/">Dr Karl</a></li> <li><a href="/news/science/">Ask an Expert</a></li> <li><a href="/news/science/">Bernie's Basics</a></li> <li><a href="/news/science/">Quizzes & Games</a></li> <li><a href="/science/learn/">Teaching Science</a></li> <li><a href="/news/science/">Audio</a></li> <li><a href="/news/science/">Video</a></li> <li class="last"><a href="/science/photos/">Photos</a></li> </ul> <h4>Topics</h4> <ul class="topicsList"> <li class="navTopicAncient first"><a href="/news/science/" class="first ancient"><span>Ancient Worlds</span></a></li> <li class="navTopicHuman"><a href="/news/science/humans"><span>Being Human</span></a></li> <li class="navTopicEnergy"><a href="/news/science/"><span>Energy & Transport</span></a></li> <li class="navTopicEnviro"><a href="/news/science/nature"><span>Environment & Nature</span></a></li> <li class="navTopicHealth"><a href="/news/science/humans"><span>Health & Medical</span></a></li> <li class="navTopicTech"><a href="/news/technology"><span>Innovation & Technology</span></a></li> <li class="navTopicSpace last"><a href="/news/science/space"><span class="last">Space & Astronomy</span></a></li> </ul><br clear="all"> </div> <div class="sideBySide3 two"> <h4>Listen</h4> <ul> <li class="first"><a href="/radionational/programs/allinthemind/">All in the Mind</a></li> <li><a href="/radionational/programs/bodysphere/">Body Sphere</a></li> <li><a href="/science/drkarl/scienceontriplej/">Dr Karl on triplej</a></li> <li><a href="/radionational/programs/futuretense/">FutureTense</a></li> <li><a href="/science/drkarl/greatmomentsinscience/">Great Moments in Science</a></li> <li><a href="/radionational/programs/healthreport/">The Health Report</a></li> <li><a href="/radionational/programs/ockhamsrazor/">Ockham's Razor</a></li> <li><a href="/radionational/programs/offtrack/">Off Track</a></li> <li><a href="/radionational/programs/philosopherszone/">The Philosopher's Zone</a></li> <li><a href="/radionational/programs/scienceshow/">The Science Show</a></li> </ul> <h4>Watch</h4> <ul> <li class="first"><a href="/acedayjobs/">Ace Day Jobs</a></li> <li><a href="/catalyst/">Catalyst</a></li> <li><a href="/science/crude/">Crude</a></li> <li><a href="/science/experimentals/">ExperiMentals</a></li> <li><a href="/science/sleekgeeks/eureka/2015/">Sleek Geeks video prize</a></li> <li><a href="/science/careers/talkingscience">Talking Science</a></li> <li><a href="/tv/timetravellers/">Time Traveller's Guide to Australia</a></li> <li class="last"><a href="/tv/voyage/">Voyage to the Planets</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="sideBySide3 three"> <h4>More science sites</h4> <ul> <li class="first"><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/science/catchmentdetox/files/home.htm">Catchment Detox</a></li> <li><a href="/science/surfingscientist/">Surfing Scientist</a></li> <li class="last"><a href="/dinosaurs/">Walking with Dinosaurs</a></li> </ul> <h4>Related ABC sites</h4> <ul> <li class="first"><a href="/environment/">ABC Environment</a></li> <li><a href="/health/">ABC Health and Wellbeing</a></li> <li class="last"><a href="/technology/">ABC Technology and Games</a></li> </ul> <h4>Search ABC Science</h4> <ul> <li class="first"><a href="/science/tag/">A–Z subject and location library</a></li> <li><a href="/science/articles/archive/">Science archives</a></li> <li class="last"><a href="https://search.abc.net.au/search/search.cgi?collection=abcall&form=simple&meta_v=science%2Farticles&query=Science">Search ABC Science by keyword</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div id="sitemapSubscribe"> <h3>Stay updated</h3> <div id="emailList">   <h4>ABC Science Newsletter</h4> <p>Get ABC Science’s weekly newsletter <a href="/science/contact/lists/updates/">Science Updates</a></p> <br> <h4 id="abcTwitter">Follow ABC Science on Twitter</h4> <ul> <li class="first"><a href="https://twitter.com/abcscience" target="_blank">ABC Science</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/abccatalyst" target="_blank">Catalyst</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/doctorkarl" target="_blank">Doctor Karl</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/surfnscientist" target="_blank">Surfing Scientist</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/abchealthonline" target="_blank">ABC Health Online</a></li> <li class="last"><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/services/twitter/">More ABC programs and people on Twitter»</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="clear"></div> </div> </div>  <script type="text/javascript"> var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www."); document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); </script> <script type="text/javascript"> try { var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-6622401-1"); pageTracker._trackPageview(); } catch(err) {}</script>  </div>  <div id="abcFooter"> <div id="abcFooterWrapper"> <a id="abcFooterLogo" href="https://www.abc.net.au"><img src="https://www.abc.net.au/res/abc/logos/footer_logo.png" width="112" height="34" alt="abc.net.au"></a> <ul id="abcFooterLinks"> <li class="abcFooterFirst"><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/">ABC Home</a></li> <li><a href="https://about.abc.net.au">About the ABC</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/careers/">ABC Careers</a></li> <li><a href="https://about.abc.net.au/talk-to-the-abc/">ABC Contacts</a></li> </ul> <ul id="abcFooterLegal"> <li class="abcFooterFirst"><a href="https://about.abc.net.au/terms-of-use/">Terms of Use</a></li> <li><a href="https://about.abc.net.au/abc-privacy-policy/">Privacy Policy</a></li> <li><a href="https://about.abc.net.au/accessibility-statement/">Accessibility</a></li> <li><a href="https://about.abc.net.au/terms-of-use/#UseOfContent">© <time>2019</time> ABC</a></li> </ul> </div> </div>   <script type="text/javascript" src="//secure-au.imrworldwide.com/v60.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> try { var pvar = { cid: "abc-aust", content: "0", server: "secure-au" }; var trac = nol_t(pvar); trac.record().post(); } catch (er) { // do nothing } </script> <noscript> <div> <img src="//secure-au.imrworldwide.com/cgi-bin/m?ci=abc-aust&cg=0&cc=1&ts=noscript" width="1" height="1" alt=""> </div> </noscript>   <script type="text/javascript"> // <![CDATA[ (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= '//www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-PB2GX'); // ]]> </script> <noscript> <iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-PB2GX" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe> </noscript>   </body></html>

CINXE.COM

Why preschoolers make less reliable witnesses › News in Science (ABC Science)