Beware the truth effect: Why efforts to debunk rape myths may backfire

Abstract

Rape myths, defined as statements about sexual assault that trivialize sexual assault and denigrate victims, have been identified as risk factors for primary and secondary victimization and obstacles to the fair processing of sexual assault cases in the criminal justice system. To dispel rape myths, a widely used strategy in public information campaigns as well as jury instructions is the “myths vs. facts” (MvsF) approach in which rape myths are first presented and then contradicted by alternative factual information. This approach has high face validity, but it has not been subjected to systematic evaluation. This paper reviews evidence from social cognition and communication science on the “truth effect” which indicates that presenting myths prior to refuting them may be counterproductive because they may be misremembered as facts and used to evaluate sexual assault cases, thereby strengthening rather than reducing the acceptance of rape myths. Both motivational and cognitive processes explaining the truth effect are presented. Strategies for avoiding the truth effect and alternative approaches for dispelling rape myths as well as directions for future research are discussed.