ABSTRACT
This entry covers the psychology of false confessions. We begin by establishing the existence of false confessions and their role in wrongful convictions. We describe the different types of false confessions. We review the methods used to conduct research on false confessions. We devote considerable attention to how personal characteristics, mental states, and situational factors elevate the risk of false confessions. We then explain how confession contamination makes false confessions appear detailed and believable. Last, we discuss recommendations for reducing the risk of false confessions and the risk that false confessions become wrongful convictions.
