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105 J. Crim. L. & Criminology 811 (2015)
Remembering Disputed Sexual Encounters: A New Frontier for Witness Memory Research

handle is hein.journals/jclc105 and id is 844 raw text is: 0091-4169/15/10504-0811 THE JOURNAL OF CRIMINAL LAW & CRIMINOLOGY Vol. 105, No. 4 Copyright 0 2016 by Deborah Davis and Elizabeth F. Loftus Printed in U.S.A. REMEMBERING DISPUTED SEXUAL ENCOUNTERS: A NEW FRONTIER FOR WITNESS MEMORY RESEARCH DEBORAH DAVIS* & ELIZABETH F. LOFTUS** This paper reviews sources of distortion in memory for sexual encounters, particularly those between intoxicated participants. We review factors leading to initial misinterpretations of sexual consent including the indirect nature of sexual consent communications, misleading cultural sexual scripts, misinterpretation of passivity, and others. In this context, we consider the way in which alcohol can both contribute to initial misunderstanding and promote specific distortions in memory over time. Finally, we discuss additional influences on memory, including motivations related to self-esteem, self-concept maintenance, or litigation, and the effects of social influence from sources such as friends, forensic interviewers or therapists. TABLE OF CONTENTS IN TRO D U CTION .......................................................................................... 812 I. CHALLENGES AT ENCODING: FAILURES OF PERCEPTION AND IN TERPRETATION ............................................................................ 817 A. The Depth and Complexity of the Memory Task Facing P articipants ............................................................................. 8 18 1. The Time Course and Complexity Through Which C onsent U nfolds ................................................................ 818 2. The Complexities of Judging Intoxication .......................... 819 B. Failures of Attention and Perception ......................................... 820 1. A ttending to Intoxication .................................................... 821 * Professor of Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno. ** Distinguished Professor, Psychology & Social Behavior and Criminology, Law & Society, University of California, Irvine.