Suggestibility and the form of the question

Abstract

A moving-picture news reel was shown and the subjects questioned verbally about details in the picture. Six forms of question were used in order to evaluate the definite versus indefinite article, the negative versus the positive form, and the subjective versus the objective form. The questions were answered on a mimeographed blank by writing "Yes," "No," or "Don't know." The proportion of "Yes" answers was assumed to be an indication of suggestibility as affected by the form of the question. About 5000 answers to each form of question were available for analysis. The results for definite versus indefinite article are equivocal and no conclusions are warranted. There seems to be a tendency for the negative to cause greater suggestibility when categorical answers are demanded, and otherwise greater caution, but this trend is contradicted in the comparison of questions in the subjective form with the definite article. The objective form of question shows clearly a greater suggestibility and also a higher degree of caution. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)