Factors affecting accuracy of eyewitness testimony Flashcards
1
Q
what is a schema?
A
- packages of info abt people and objects in the world around us
- mental shortcuts
- memory influenced by schemas
- memory changes to fit pre existing bias
2
Q
what is reconstructive memory?
A
- memory isn’t an accurate recording of events
- reconstructed recording and may have errors
3
Q
what are leading questions?
A
- questions that may imply a certain answer
- influence how memory is recalled
- due to an actual change in memory
- due to emotional pressure to give certain response
4
Q
what is post event discussion?
A
- ## recalling events by one witness alters the accuracy of recall by another
5
Q
what is memory conformity?
A
- witness goes along with the accounts for social approval
6
Q
research support: Loftus and Palmer (1974) traffic accidents
A
- shown clips of traffic accidents
- asked leading question w/ verb changing about how cars crashed
- more extreme the verb the higher estimated mph of the car
- contacts= 31.8
- smashed= 40.8
- misleading info can influence recall
7
Q
research support: Loftus and Palmer (1974) traffic accidents, broken glass
A
- shown car crash clip w/ no broken glass
- asked how fast car was going w verbs ‘hit’ and ‘smashed’ or control group
- after a week asked if there was any broken glass
- ‘smashed’= 2x more likely to say yes than ‘hit’
- leading questions can be long lasting and effect memory
8
Q
research support: Gabbert et al. (2000) crime shot from diff perspectives
A
- shown vid of crime shot to pairs of ppl
- diff info available in each shot
- 71% of pairs discussed aspects of the video they didnt see
- compared to 0% who didnt discuss what they had seen
- witnesses change their accounts of crime to match other witnesses
- want social approval= memory conformity
9
Q
research support: Bonder et al. (2009) repeated Gabbert
A
- similar to gabbert but pp told not to share info in their testimony
- shared significantly less info compared to other witnesses
- if warned about dangers of post event discussion its effects can be reduced
10
Q
what is anxiety?
A
- mental state of arousal
- feelings of extreme concern and tension
- physiological changes e.g increased HR
11
Q
anxiety in EWT:
A
- EWT usually used after violent crimes
- hihg anxiety
- research in EWT ofte has no emotional impact on the pp= low validity
12
Q
how does anxiety reduce recall?
A
- high anxiety= reduced recall of the criminals face
- weapons cause anxiety= get distracted and focus on them instead
13
Q
how does anxiety increase recall?
A
- arousal increases alertness
- strong emotions could increase memory encoding
14
Q
what is the Yerks-Dodson laws of arousal?
A
- EWT increases as anxiety increases as the witness becomes alert
- at a point anxiety becomes too high
- too much stress= lowe accuracy
15
Q
research on anxiety and EWT: Johnson and Scott (1976) man walking out of lab
A
- pp placed outside lab, listening to convos
- 1)normal convo, man walks out w/ greasy hand or pen
- 2) hostile, glass breaking, man walks out with knife covered in blood
- asked to identify the man from 50 photos
- identified the man with the pen easier than man with the knife
- more focus on weapon
