Factors Affecting Accuracy of EWT - Misleading Information Flashcards

1
Q

What is eyewitness testimony (EWT)?

A

The ability of people to remember details of events (such as crimes) they have observed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Misleading information

A

Incorrect information given to an eyewitness usually after the event. It could be in the form of leading questions or post-event discussion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Leading questions

A

A question which, because of the way it’s phrased, suggests a certain answer. Possibly leads to response bias or substitution

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Post-event discussion

A

Witnesses discuss what they have seen with co-witnesses or other people. Possibly leading to memory contamination/distortion or memory conformity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Loftus and Palmer (1974) procedure

A

45 American students watched a clip of a car accident and were then asked a question about the speed of the car, manipulating the verb used (eg. How fast were the cars going when they hit/contacted/bumped/collided/smashed?)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Loftus and Palmer (1974) findings

A

Mean estimated speed for the verb smashed was significantly higher (40mph compared to 31 for contacted), suggesting leading questions affect EWT

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Gabbert (2003) procedure

A

Pairs watched videos of the same crime but from different perspectives. Both participants (co-witnesses) then discussed what they had seen before individually completing a test of recall

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Gabbert (2003) findings

A

71% of p’s recalled aspects of the event that they didn’t see but what picked up in the post-event discussion (compared to 0% in a control group with no discussion), suggesting post-event discussions affects EWT

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Strengths of misleading information

A
  • Real world application to criminal justice system (eg. Psychologists can educate juries on the effect of leading questions)
  • Gabbert’s study had good population validity (eg. Found little difference between two different populations)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Limitations of misleading information

A
  • Loftus & Palmer’s study lacks ecological validity (eg. In a real car crash, witnesses will either see a small amount through peripheral vision or be directly involved)
  • Evidence challenging memory conformity (eg. Participants recalled a blend, suggesting memory is distorted through contamination)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly