Yes, children are susceptible to manipulation: Commentary on article by Clemente and Padilla-Racero

William Bernet; Maria Cristina Verrocchio; Stan Korosi

doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.07.004

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Letter/Communication

Yes, children are susceptible to manipulation: Commentary on article by Clemente and Padilla-Racero

William Bernet, Maria Cristina Verrocchio and Stan Korosi

Children and Youth Services Review, Vol.56, pp.135-138

2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.07.004

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Abstract

Family law

Other human society not elsewhere classified

Forensic psychology

False memory

Parental alienation

Withdrawal from publication

family violence

coercive control

The recently published article by Clemente and Padilla-Racero made incorrect statements regarding Richard Gardner and the mental condition that he identified, parental alienation syndrome. Clemente and Padilla-Racero conducted research on children and concluded, “Gardner's ideas about parental alienation syndrome, and in particular the ease of parental manipulation of children, were not empirically verified.” When we reviewed the data from their own research, we arrived at the opposite conclusion, i.e., that over 40% of child subjects, age 6 to 12, were manipulated by adult suggestion to describe a non-event. We conclude that the data of Clemente and Padilla-Racero were consistent with Gardner's theory that a parent can influence a child to make false statements about the other parent and to develop false beliefs and ultimately false memories of non-events. That article, which features misinformation and methodological flaws, should be withdrawn from publication.

Details

Title: Yes, children are susceptible to manipulation: Commentary on article by Clemente and Padilla-Racero
Authors: William Bernet (Author) - Vanderbilt University
Maria Cristina Verrocchio (Author) - University of Chieti-Pescara
Stan Korosi (Author) - Parental Alienation Australia and New Zealand
Publication details: Children and Youth Services Review, Vol.56, pp.135-138
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd
DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.07.004
ISSN: 1873-7765
Organisation Unit: Academic Support Unit; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Faculty of Arts, Business and Law; Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99585607902621
Output Type: Letter/Communication

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