5- Loftus & Palmer: COGNITIVE

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

2

To investigate the accuracy of memory and in particular the effect of leading questions on what people remember

To see if the leading question changed a persons subsequent memory of the event the witnessed

Question 2

Design

Answer 2

Both studies laboratory experiments
Independent measures design

Question 3

Type of study

Answer 3

1st : snapshot study

2nd: longitudinal (1 week)

Question 4

Sample - first experiment
How many
Who
Groups

Answer 4

45 ps
American college students
5 participant groups: each one condition of IV

Question 5

Sample - second experiment
How many
Who
Groups

Answer 5

150 ps
American college students
3 groups: control condition + 2 IV

Question 6

DV
1st and 2nd experiment

Answer 6

1st: estimate of speed
2nd: said saw broken glass or not

Question 7

Materials / apparatus

Answer 7

Exp one:
7 brief clips of car accidents
Questionnaire

Exp two:
One min film containing 4s multiple car accident

Question 8

Procedure
Experiment one

Answer 8

Asked to describe accident and given series of questions about film including critical question

In one of 5 conditions: (verbs)
Hit
Contacted
Smashed
Bumped
Collided

Asked on questionnaire estimate cars speed

Question 9

Procedure experiment 2

Answer 9

Part 1:
Asked to describe clip and asked questions including critical question

3 groups:
Smashed
Hit
Control - no question

Part 2:
Ps asked to return to lab 1 week later

Asked some questions about film key question - did you see any broken glass? (There had not been)

Question 10

Results
Experiment 1

Answer 10

Mean speeds estimates:
- faster for verbs ie smashed than contacted
- ps not able to accurately estimate speed

Mean speeds:
Smashed - 40.5 mph
Contacted - 31.8 mph
Collided - 39.3 mph
Bumped - 38.1 mph
Hit - 34.0 mph

Question 11

Results
Experiment 2

Answer 11

Mean speed estimates - faster who had been smashed than with hit

More ps who had smashed saw broken glass (16/50) than others

In other groups 7/50 with hit saw broken glass

6/50 ps in control group saw glass

Overall: most ps correctly reported (121 / 150)

Speeds:
Smashed - 10.46 mph
Hit - 8.0 mph

Question 12

Strength

Answer 12

Controlled conditions
Extraneous variables be controlled

Ie eyewitness influenced by surroundings

Extraneous variables threaten internal validity

Question 13

Weakness

Answer 13

Not a real accident - no emotions

Not good at estimating speed

Question 14

Sampling bias

Answer 14

American students

Strength:
Ps are easy to obtain

Weakness:
Unique characteristics of students

Question 15

Ethnocentrism