Effects of readability on the impact and recall of written informed consent material

Prof Psychol Res Pr. 1992 Dec;23(6):500-3. doi: 10.1037/0735-7028.23.6.500.

Abstract

Participants (49 women, 23 men) rated a hypothetical psychologist after (a) receiving either no informed consent information, a highly readable consent form, or a less readable form; and (b) reading a transcript of a therapy session containing either positive or negative self-involving statements. Informed consent forms had no effect on ratings; there was a trend for participants to recall less of the less readable form. Participants rated the therapist more favorably when he used positive self-involving statements. In a second study, participants (62 women, 28 men) received 1 of the 3 levels of informed consent information and a transcript with either no mention of informed consent or a brief mention at the end. Men who received the less readable consent form had poorer first impressions of the therapist and recalled less of the form. The mention of informed consent in the transcript had no effect.

MeSH terms

  • Comprehension*
  • Consent Forms / standards*
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Humans
  • Mental Recall*
  • Mentally Ill Persons / psychology
  • Psychotherapy*