Eye Witness Testimony

Question 1

What is the main concern regarding eyewitness testimony?

Answer 1

It can lead to misleading information

Eyewitness testimony is often unreliable and can be influenced by various factors.

Question 2

What did Gabbert et al. (2003) investigate?

Answer 2

The effect of post-event discussion (PED) on accuracy in eyewitness testimony

This study involved 60 students and 60 older adults.

Question 3

In Gabbert et al.’s study, what was shown to the participants?

Answer 3

A video of a girl stealing money from a wallet

Participants were tested individually or in pairs.

Question 4

What were the results of Gabbert et al.’s study regarding eyewitness recall?

Answer 4

71% of witnesses recalled misinformation

This indicates a significant impact of PED on memory accuracy.

Question 5

What does the Enhanced Cognitive Interview (ECI) aim to improve?

Answer 5

Eyewitness accuracy

The ECI focuses on various techniques to enhance memory retrieval.

Question 6

What is one criticism of the Cognitive Interview?

Answer 6

It may lack ecological validity

Critics argue that it pays too much attention to structured questioning rather than real-world scenarios.

Question 7

Who highlighted the importance of building a relationship between the interviewer and witness?

Answer 7

Fisher and Geiselman

This relationship is crucial for effective interviews.

Question 8

What did Coker’s research find regarding focused mental imagery?

Answer 8

It produced increased accurate detail compared to standard CI techniques

Especially effective for recalling personal details.

Question 9

What is one technique included in the Cognitive Interview to aid recall?

Answer 9

Mental reinstatement of context

This technique helps make memories more accessible.

Question 10

What does the ‘Report Everything’ principle entail?

Answer 10

Witnesses should recall all details, even if seemingly irrelevant

This approach can trigger additional memories.

Question 11

True or False: Social pressures from co-witnesses can distort eyewitness memory.

Answer 11

True

Co-witnesses can influence each other’s recollections.

Question 12

What is the main focus of Loftus and Palmer’s 1914 study?

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

What effect does high anxiety have on eyewitness memory according to the weapon focus effect?

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

What were the two conditions in the Johnson and Scott study?

Answer 14

• 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.

Question 15

What is the mean speed recorded for the smashed condition in the Loftus and Palmer study?

Answer 15

40.9 mph

This was compared to the mean speed of the contacted condition, which was 31.8 mph.

Question 16

What does the Yerkes-Dodson Law illustrate about anxiety and memory?

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

True or False: The relationship between anxiety and performance is causal according to the research.

Answer 17

False

The relationship is correlational, meaning anxiety and performance are related but do not imply causation.

Question 18

Fill in the blank: The term used to describe the phenomenon where a weapon draws attention away from the surroundings is called the _______.

Answer 18

[weapon focus effect]

Question 19

According to Loftus, what can lead to false memories?

Answer 19

Leading questions and misinformation

Loftus’s research indicates that the way questions are phrased can alter recollections of events.

Question 20

What was the primary method used in Loftus and Palmer’s experiment?

Answer 20

Questionnaires to gather descriptions of the accidents

Participants were asked to describe what they had seen after viewing the films.