Eye Witness Testimony Flashcards
What is the main concern regarding eyewitness testimony?
It can lead to misleading information
Eyewitness testimony is often unreliable and can be influenced by various factors.
What did Gabbert et al. (2003) investigate?
The effect of post-event discussion (PED) on accuracy in eyewitness testimony
This study involved 60 students and 60 older adults.
In Gabbert et al.’s study, what was shown to the participants?
A video of a girl stealing money from a wallet
Participants were tested individually or in pairs.
What were the results of Gabbert et al.’s study regarding eyewitness recall?
71% of witnesses recalled misinformation
This indicates a significant impact of PED on memory accuracy.
What does the Enhanced Cognitive Interview (ECI) aim to improve?
Eyewitness accuracy
The ECI focuses on various techniques to enhance memory retrieval.
What is one criticism of the Cognitive Interview?
It may lack ecological validity
Critics argue that it pays too much attention to structured questioning rather than real-world scenarios.
Who highlighted the importance of building a relationship between the interviewer and witness?
Fisher and Geiselman
This relationship is crucial for effective interviews.
What did Coker’s research find regarding focused mental imagery?
It produced increased accurate detail compared to standard CI techniques
Especially effective for recalling personal details.
What is one technique included in the Cognitive Interview to aid recall?
Mental reinstatement of context
This technique helps make memories more accessible.
What does the ‘Report Everything’ principle entail?
Witnesses should recall all details, even if seemingly irrelevant
This approach can trigger additional memories.
True or False: Social pressures from co-witnesses can distort eyewitness memory.
True
Co-witnesses can influence each other’s recollections.
What is the main focus of Loftus and Palmer’s 1914 study?
The influence of reconstructive memory on eyewitness testimony and prediction of speeds in car accidents
The study involved 45 students watching 7 films of tragic accidents and then describing what they saw.
What effect does high anxiety have on eyewitness memory according to the weapon focus effect?
It narrows attention to the weapon and reduces the ability to recall details of the surroundings
This was demonstrated in the Johnson and Scott study where participants focused on a weapon during a stressful situation.
What were the two conditions in the Johnson and Scott study?
- Low anxiety: overheard conversation with a pen in hand
- High anxiety: overheard breaking glass with a bloody knife
These conditions assessed the impact of anxiety on memory recall.
What is the mean speed recorded for the smashed condition in the Loftus and Palmer study?
40.9 mph
This was compared to the mean speed of the contacted condition, which was 31.8 mph.
What does the Yerkes-Dodson Law illustrate about anxiety and memory?
It shows an inverted U relationship between anxiety and performance, indicating optimal levels of arousal for memory recall
High anxiety can impair memory, while low anxiety may not provide enough focus.
True or False: The relationship between anxiety and performance is causal according to the research.
False
The relationship is correlational, meaning anxiety and performance are related but do not imply causation.
Fill in the blank: The term used to describe the phenomenon where a weapon draws attention away from the surroundings is called the _______.
[weapon focus effect]
According to Loftus, what can lead to false memories?
Leading questions and misinformation
Loftus’s research indicates that the way questions are phrased can alter recollections of events.
What was the primary method used in Loftus and Palmer’s experiment?
Questionnaires to gather descriptions of the accidents
Participants were asked to describe what they had seen after viewing the films.
