Suggestibility or suggestibilities?

Suggestibility is a phenomenon that has been at the heart of witness issues for over thirty years. Both complex and multidimensional, it has been the subject of many studies that have, for example, demonstrated that an individual can immediately accept false information that has been suggested to him or her and these suggestions can then alter his or her memory. However, the literature always uses the term suggestibility generically, whilst it is in fact possible to distinguish between different types. This article offers a theoretical perspective on the concepts of immediate suggestibility, delayed suggestibility, interrogative suggestibility, misinformation effect, and immediate misinformation acceptance. The aim is to provide assistance to francophone practitioners and researchers who, in their practice, may be faced with the phenomenon of suggestibility and therefore individuals’ vulnerability.