Eyewitness Testimony

Question 1

Give examples of misleading information

Answer 1

Leading Questions, Post event discussion

Question 2

What is meant by leading questions

Answer 2

One that suggests a certain answer because of the way it is phrased

Question 3

What is meant by Post-event discussion

Answer 3

Witnesses to an event discuss what they have experienced, this could affect the accuracy of their recall.

Question 4

When did Loftus and Palmers study take place

Answer 4

1974

Question 5

Who were the participants in Loftus and Palmers leading Q’s study

Answer 5

45 students

Question 6

What did the p’s do in Loftus and Palmers leading Q’s study

Answer 6

Watched clips of car accidents, then answered Q’s about speed.

Question 7

What was the critical Q in Loftus and Palmers leading Q’s study

Answer 7

How fast was the car travelling when they hit each other

Question 8

How many groups were there and what verbs were given to each group

Answer 8

5 groups, each given a different verb. Hit, collided, bumped, contacted, smashed

Question 9

What was the mean speed estimated when the verb was ‘contacted’

Answer 9

31.8 mph

Question 10

What was the mean speed estimated when the verb was ‘smashed’

Answer 10

40.5 mph

Question 11

What explanations are there for Loftus and palmers study

Answer 11

Response bias and Substitution explanation

Question 12

What is response bias

Answer 12

Leading Q’s have no enduring impact on the actual memory of the event. It simply influences the subjective part of the answer.

Question 13

What is substitution explanation

Answer 13

Wording of a question does affect EWT. It creates interference with the original memory, distorting it.

Question 14

Give an evaluation of Loftus and palmers study based on real world application

Answer 14

Consequences of inaccurate EWT are serious (Steve Titus). Research in this area is important and applicable. Findings and learning should be applied to those involved (Police). Training must be based on this. This is an area where psychologists can have a real impact and improve outcome for all.

Question 15

Give an evaluation of Loftus and palmers study based on artificiality

Answer 15

One weakness is that L+P’s work was flawed. They showed film clips. This is a very different experience to seeing an incident LIVE. Totally different stress and anxiety. The p’s have less responsibility, they know its a study. Researchers may be too pessimistic about the accuracy of EWT. It may be more reliable and less prone to bias tat shown here.

Question 16

Explain Gabbart et al. (2003) procedure

Answer 16

Paired p’s watched a video of the same crime. Its filmed so each p could see elements in the video that others couldn’t. Both discuss the video they have seen before individually completing a test of recall.

Question 17

Explain Gabbart et al. (2003) findings

Answer 17

71% of p’s wrongly recalled aspects they had not seen but had heard in the discussion. Control group (no discussion) = 0 errors. This is evidence of memory conformity.

Question 18

What is memory contamination an explanation for

Answer 18

Gabbart et al. (2003)

Question 19

What is memory conformity an explanation for

Answer 19

Gabbart et al. (2003)

Question 20

What is memory contamination

Answer 20

When co - witnesses have a discussion they mix misinformation from other witnesses with their own memory

Question 21

What is memory conformity

Answer 21

Witnesses go along with other views as a result of NSI or ISI.

Question 22

Give an evaluation based on supporting memory conformity (Gabbart et al. (2003))

Answer 22

One limitation is that evidence doesn’t support memory conformity. Alternative research had p’s watch a film clip. In one version the mugger had dark brown hair and the other light brown. P’s recall was a blend (medium brown hair) despite what they had heard from other witnesses. This suggests that memory contamination is a much better explanation.

Question 23

Give an evaluation based on control (Gabbart et al. (2003))

Answer 23

Lab studies such as these give high levels of control over variables. Therefore, they have high internal validity. They can show causation.

Question 24

Give an evaluation of demand characteristics (Gabbart et al. (2003))

Answer 24

Lab studies suffer from demand characteristics. P’s want to help so will always guess when unsure (low internal validity). Therefore, studies should be designed to give as little cue as possible to the type of answer the researcher wants. This may improve internal validity.