3.2 Eyewitness Evidence

Question 1

estimator variables

Answer 1

present AT THE TIME and CANNOT BE CHANGED - exposure time, lighting, distance, physical disguise, distraction

Question 2

system variable

Answer 2

variables that CAN BE MANIPULATED AFTER THE FACT, impact the accuracy of witness
- e.g. questioning techniques by police - open-ended, leading

Question 3

factors increasing susceptibility to misinformation effect

Answer 3

exposure to incorrect information about event after it happens can cause people to incorporate it into their memories (can be mixed with leading questions to make it worse)

Question 4

recall memory - eyewitness memory assessing

Answer 4

reporting details of previously witnessed event/person

Question 5

recognition memory - eyewitness memory assessing

Answer 5

reporting whether what is currently being viewed/heard is the same as the previously witnessed person/event of interest

Question 6

own race bias

Answer 6

• it’s down as an estimator variable to some extent idk just roll with it
• expectations affect perception –> assume african-american man holding weapon –> own race bias
• platz + hosch 1988 - convenience store clerks asked to identify 3 customers, more likely to identify own race
• due to lack of interracial contact

Question 7

flashbulb memory

Answer 7

everyone remembers where they were 9/11 –> clear, vivid, detailed recollections of unexpected, traumatic events experienced

Question 8

estimator variables: emotional level

Answer 8

yerkes-dodson law - memory best at optimum level of arousal (middling level of stress = good)
- easterbrook hypothesis = highly aroused witnesses have better memory for central details than peripheral details

Question 9

weapons focus effect

Answer 9

• presence of weapon draws attention + impairs witness ability to identify culprit
  loftus et al 1987
• IV = gun or checkbook, DV = eye movement, accuracy of identifications
• results: when gun present, spent more time looking at it, lessl ikely to identify person in a lineup

Question 10

system variables: delay

Answer 10

• delay between witnessing an event and giving a statement can affect memory

Question 11

system variables: questioning techniques

Answer 11

• techniques can affect eyewitness accuracy

Question 12

misinformation effect research

Answer 12

• participants saw pics accident showing stop sign at intersection
• some given leading question sugesting give ways sign
• later given 2 pics - one w/ stop, one w/ give way
• language: how fast: hit, smash, crash, bump, collide = more dramatic = ‘remember’ broken glass

Question 13

false memory research

Answer 13

loftus + pickrell 1995
- ‘implanting’ childhoos memories –> lost at mall, after several suggestive interviews 25% lost in mall, rich vivid details
- BUT being lost is pretty common, maybe were lost and just remembered, or it did happen + family forgot
- also doctored photos of like hot air balloon rides that never happened, 50% recalled partially or clearly having done a hot balloon ride
- trips to disneyland

Question 14

repressed memories + research

Answer 14

debated, do people bury traumatic memories until spontaneously recalled/triggered?
- williams (1994) interviewed women w/ childhood sexual abuse, 38% not report during interview
- goodman 2003 similar, 16% not report
– repressed, reporting error, too young, not want to talk
- MCNALLY + GERAERTS = alternative: people don’t think of abuse as such at time, only later realise what happened

Question 15

factors increasing susceptibility to misinformation effect

Answer 15

age, hypnosis, suggestibility, credible sources of misinformation, repetition of misinformation, misinformation is peripheral