This is a Lexicon entry: the mechanism, when it shows up, and the countermeasure. The full correction, with real-world cases and the audit prompt, hasn't been written yet.
When it shows up
Eyewitness testimony corrupted by leading questions. News reports that reshape public memory of events. Post-event discussions that change what participants remember seeing. The effect is stronger when the misinformation comes from a trusted or authoritative source.
Failure mode
Memories are permanently altered by post-event information and the person has no awareness that the alteration occurred. Eyewitness confidence does not predict accuracy. Legal proceedings, journalism and historical memory are all vulnerable.
Countermeasure
Record observations immediately, before exposure to other accounts. In legal and investigative contexts, separate witnesses before debriefing. For personal decisions: write down what you observed before reading others' interpretations. Apply CL-9 (Source Trace).
Related traps
Also connected in the map4 more, locked
Also revealed
Entry #124 of 631 in The Lexicon · see the full Lexicon