AbstractsPsychology

The aim of this research was to examine whether an additional response alternative, something else (SE), would influence children’s accuracy to forced-choice questions. Children (N = 114) 3- to 5-years-old participated in an event involving innocuous touch. Following a one-week delay, children were interviewed individually. Half of the children received standard two-alternative forced-choice questions and half of the children received the same two alternatives as well as a third response option of “something else”. All children received the same three question types: true (one of the provided options was correct), false (neither of the provided options was correct), and unanswerable (children did not have the knowledge to answer these questions). Children used the SE option more when it was provided as an option than when it was not provided. Accuracy was determined at three time points: (1) in response to the initial question, (2) in response to the follow up prompt if the child chose the SE response, and (3) the combination of responses to initial and follow up questions (final accuracy). Final accuracy was the dependent variable of interest. Final accuracy was influenced by the use of the SE option only in response to false questions. Accuracy increased with age but not with the use of the SE option. Professionals are urged to use caution in implementing the SE option.