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Journal Article 1: Giles, J. W., Gopnik, A., & Heyman, G. D. (2002). Source monitoring reduces the suggestibility of preschool children. Psychological Science, 13, 288–291. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9280.00453

Abstract: The relation between source monitoring and suggestibility was examined among preschool children. Thirty-two 3- to 5-year-olds were simultaneously presented with a brief story in two different modalities, as a silent video vignette and a spoken narrative. Each modality presented unique information about the story, but the information in the two versions was mutually compatible. The children were then asked a series of questions, including questions about the source (modality) of story details, and leading questions about story details (to assess suggestibility). Performance on the source-monitoring questions was highly correlated with the ability to resist suggestion. In addition, children who were asked source-monitoring questions prior to leading questioning were less susceptible to suggestion than were those who were asked the leading questions first. This study provides evidence that source monitoring can play a causal role in reducing the suggestibility of preschool children.

Journal Article 2: Stanton-Chapman, T. L., Chapman, D. A., Kaiser, A. P., & Hancock, T. B. (2004). Cumulative risk and low-income children’s language development. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 24, 227–237. https://doi.org/10.1177/02711214040240040401

Abstract: This study utilized an electronic data linkage method to examine the effects of risk factors present at birth on language development in preschool. The Preschool Language Scale-3 (PLS-3) was administered to 853 low-income children, and cumulative risk data were abstracted from linked birth records. At least one risk factor was present in 94% of this sample, while 39% were exposed to three or more risk factors. On average, a girl’s PLS-3 Total Score decreased by 2.3 points with each risk factor; the average decrease for boys was 1.1 point per risk factor. The accumulation of multiple risk factors thus appears to increase the negative effects of poverty. Researchers are encouraged to use historical administrative data sets to support prevention and early identification efforts.