Continuing & Professional Studies, Palo Alto University

This webinar on Suggestibility and Theory of Mind (ToM) in Clinical and Forensic Settings is presented by Jerrod Brown, PhD.

Suggestibility is the predisposition to adopt the inaccurate views of others as fact when recalling memories. This phenomenon can present a host of problems in mental health (e.g., assessment and treatment) and criminal justice (e.g., false confessions and wrongful convictions) settings. Although the research is not conclusive at this point, one potential risk factor for suggestibility is low levels of theory of mind (ToM), particularly among youths. This is the ability to understand the mental states (e.g., emotions, intentions, and knowledge) of other people and, in turn, use this understanding to inform decisions and actions in social situations. The links between suggestibility and ToM may be traced to their shared origins in cognitive (e.g., executive function) and situational (e.g., social contexts) variables. The serious consequences of suggestibility in mental health and criminal justice settings warrant advanced training among the professionals that work in these contexts.