Discuss extent of agreement... Flashcards
‘Eye-witness testimony is reliable.’
Using psychological knowledge, discuss to what extent you agree with this statement. [20]
This debate is linked to the cognitive approach. However, the materials used in the responses may be taken from any approach and perspective within psychology.
Some reference could also be made to economic, social and political evidence (as long as it is explicitly linked to the psychological issue).
Credit will be given for:
* Studies on reliability of eye-witness testimony e.g. Yuille and Cutshall, Geiselman - cognitive interview, Loftus and Palmer.
* Studies on unreliability of eye-witness testimony e.g. Loftus and Palmer and leading questions.
* Theories indicating that memory is accurate e.g. flashbulb memory.
* Theories indicating that memory is not an accurate representation e.g. Bartlett’s reconstructive memory and Schema Theory, repression and false memories.
* Individual differences - age, ethnicity, specific disorders (face blindness etc.).
* Reliability of children as eye-witnesses.
* Any other appropriate content.
9-10 (AO1)
* Description and level of accuracy is thorough.
* Exemplars are well chosen.
* Depth and range to material included.
* Effective use of terminology throughout.
* Structure is logical.
Credit will be given for:
* Analysis of research evidence to refute or support the debate.
* Analysis of theories related to the reliability of eye-witness testimony.
* Analysis of evidence of individual differences in reliability of eye-witness testimony, e.g. age, ethnicity, specific disorders (face blindness etc.).
* Ethical implications, such as psychological harm in misidentification, e.g. Huff et.al. (1986).
* Economic implications, e.g. costs of trials and compensation.
* Social implications, e.g. faith in criminal justice system if imprisoning innocent people as actual perpetrators may go unpunished, e.g. Greene (1990).
* Overall agreement or disagreement with the statement.
* Any other appropriate content.
9-10 (AO3)
* A thorough discussion is made of both sides of the debate.
* Clear reference to the statement.
* Evaluative comments are evidently relevant to the context.
* Structure is logical throughout.
* An appropriate conclusion is reached based on analysing and
interpreting the evidence presented.
‘Eyewitness testimony can be viewed as being unreliable.’
Discuss the extent to which you agree with the statement. You should demonstrate your understanding of psychological knowledge and research in your answer. [24]
This debate is linked to the cognitive approach. However, the materials used in the responses may be taken from any approach and perspective within psychology.
Some reference could also be made to economic, social and political evidence (as long as it is explicitly linked to the psychological issue).
Credit will be given for:
* Theories used to describe eyewitness testimony e.g. repression, reconstructive memory, leading questions, post-event information, weapon focus, minority and majority social influence, schemas.
* Description of research into eyewitness testimony e.g. Loftus (various dates), Bartlett (1932), Clifford and Scott (1978), Yuille and Cutshall (1986), Peters (1988).
* The work of the Innocence Project.
* Verifiable examples of where eyewitness accounts have been reliable and unreliable.
* Any other appropriate content.
10–12 (AO1)
* Description and level of accuracy is thorough.
* Exemplars are well chosen.
* There is depth and range to material included.
* Effective use of terminology throughout.
* The structure is logical.
Credit will be given for:
* Analysis of research evidence to refute or support the debate.
* Reliability and validity issues e.g. the use of laboratory experiments, real eyewitness accounts that are high in ecological validity, temporal validity, cultural differences in perception.
* Individual differences in memory recall.
* Ethical implications of eyewitness accounts.
* Reliable witnesses e.g. children, victims where no other evidence is available.
* Use of scientific and DNA evidence instead of eyewitness accounts.
* Conclusion to the debate. Overall agreement or disagreement with the statement.
* Any other appropriate content.
10–12 (AO3)
* A thorough discussion is made of both sides of the debate.
* Clear reference to the statement.
* Evaluative comments are evidently relevant to the context.
* Structure is logical throughout.
* An appropriate conclusion is reached based on analysing and
interpreting the evidence presented.
