Cognitive Approach Classic Evidence - Loftus Palmer (1974) Flashcards
1
Q
AN INTERNALLY VALID STUDY? (v)
A
- An advantage of the method used is that lab experiments have high control over 1 extraneous variables.
- This is due to the controlled environment e.g. the crashes shown, how long they were shown for and the verbs used.
- This means that cause and effect can be established between the IV (verbs) and the DV (speed estimates MPH) which increases the internal validity of the research/findings and conclusions on the effects of language on memory.
2
Q
AN ARTIFICIAL STUDY? (V+G)
A
- L+P method can be criticised for lacking ecological/external validity.
- The research took place in a controlled lab setting where ppts were shown a video of a car crash.
- This is very different to witnessing an incident in real life.
- Therefore, this makes it difficult to generalise the findings to real life cases of the effects of language on eye witness memory.
- In real life there would be more emotions around the event which may mean memory is less affected by language.
3
Q
A REPLICABLE STUDY?
A
- A strength is that the study is replicable.
- This is due to the lab location and use of standardised procedures e g. use of video clips, verbs, questions.
- Therefore, it is possible to repeat the study in the same way to check for consistent results into the effects of language on memory which would increase the external reliability of the research.
4
Q
ALTERNATIVE EVIDENCE TO CONTRADICT L+P F&C?
A
- there is research to contradict that L+P conclusions.
- Yuille and Cutshall found that eye witnesses for a real life armed robbery were still accurate 4 months after the event and despite 2 pieces of misleading information.
- Therefore, this suggests that misleading information does not always distort eye witnesses’ memory which challenges the validity of L+P findings and conclusions.
5
Q
ALTERNATIVE EVIDENCE - supportive ?
A
- There is evidence to support L+P conclusions.
- Loftus Disneyland study found that those who were given Disney advertising material containing Bugs Bunny were more likely to report having shaken hand with him than those without the misleading information.
- This support L+P conclusions that misleading information can indeed change a person’s memory of an event.
6
Q
ISSUES WITH THE SAMPLE? (V)
A
- The sample can also be criticised for sample bias as the sample was made up of students.
- Students may be less experienced drivers and so may be more influenced by leading questions when estimate the speed of the cars.
- Therefore, the findings lack population/external validity as it is difficult to generalise the findings to people who are not students as their memory may be affected more or less by leading questions.
⭐This is illustrated by Schacter et al 1991.
7
Q
What did Schacter et al find in 1991?
A
- They found that elderly people have difficulty remembering the source of information even though their memory of the information itself is accurate.
- This means they may be more prone to the effect of misleading information as they are less likely to be able to distinguish what they saw from information they received after the event.
8
Q
AN ETHICAL STUDY?
A
- Some would argue the research to be ethical. The study involved showing ppts a video clip of a car accidents happening at moderate speeds rather than exposing ppts to a real incident.
- Therefore, participants were protected from experiencing any form of stress or anxiety.
9
Q
ETHICAL ISSUE - LACK OF VALID CONSENT?
A
- The study can be criticized for a lack of valid consent. L*P did not reveal the true aims of their study (to see if the verb used would influence memory) therefore whilst ppts consented to taking part in the research this consent was not valid.
- This is unethical as participants may not have wanted to participate had they been given the full details of the study.
10
Q
SOCIAL IMPLICATION - LEGAL SYSTEM?
A
- A negative social implication is that L+P research could lead to a lack of trust in eyewitnesses.
- Greene found a mock jury were aware of eyewitness mistakes and this made them more sceptical.
- This could have damaging implications as often witnesses are major source of evidence in a criminal trial and if we didn’t trust them then offender could walk free and be a risk to society if they offended again.
11
Q
SOCIAL IMPLICATION - LEGAL SYSTEM?
A
- However, L+P has led to significant changes to the way police interview witnesses.
- Historically police interviewing involved an ‘interrogation’ and possibly used leading questions.
- This research has been useful in creating the cognitive interview’ used by ‘ the police - this is a way of questioning witnesses that aims to eliminate leading questions.
- Therefore, this study has had positive implications in changing the way witnesses are interviewed by the police and so has had positive social implications in improving accuracy of witness testimony which may reduce number of wrongful convictions and help place more trust back in EWT.
12
Q
SOCIAL IMPLICATION - WORKPLACE?
A
- L+P research could have positive implications for the workplace.
- For example, when managers are investigating disciplinary cases against employees they could avoid leading questions as this could affect a witnesses memory.
- This could then avoid people being wrongfully dismissed and possible employment tribunals which would cost the company money and affect its reputation.
13
Q
name of study?
A
“Reconstruction of an automobile destruction: An example of the interaction between language and memory”
14
Q
evaluate method and procedures?
A
GRVE
15
Q
evaluate F&Cs?
A
GRAV
