Factors affecting the accuracy of eyewitness testimony: Post event discussion

Question 1

What is post event discussion?

Answer 1

Post event discussion is when there is more than one witness to an event. The witnesses may discuss what they have seen with co - witnesses and this may influence the accuracy of recall on the event

Question 2

What happens to the eyewitness testimonies of individuals during post event discussion?

Answer 2

During post event discussion, individuals’ eyewitness testimonies may become cominated because they combine misinformation from other witnesses with their own memories

Question 3

Who was the psychologist who conducted a study into the affects of post event discussion on eyewitness testimonies?

Answer 3

Fiona Gabbert et al

Question 4

What study did Fiona Gabbert et al conduct into the affects of post event discussion on eyewitness testimonies?

Answer 4

Fiona Gabbert et al had participants in pairs watch a video of a the same crime. Only difference, was the video was from different point of views. this meant that participants could see elements, others could not. Participants were then asked to discuss in pairs before individually completing a test of recall.

Question 5

What is memory conformity?

Answer 5

A person’s memories will become distorted because of the information provided by other witnesses

Question 6

What were the findings of Fiona Gabbert et al’s study?

Answer 6

Fiona Gabbert et al concluded that witnesses often went along with each other either to social approval or because they believed the other witnesses were right and they were wrong. This was referred to as memory conformity

Question 7

What is a limitation of Fiona Gabbert et al’s study?

Answer 7

This study is low in ecological validity because of the artificiality of the tasks performed in the study. Participants may process tragic events different in real life compared to video. Additionally there may have been a chance for demand characteristics as participants may have realised the aims of the study

Question 8

Discuss the importance of post event discussion as a factor affecting EWT? (16m)

Answer 8

Para 1. (AO1): Define post even discussion and describe Gabbert et al’s research

Para 2 (AO3): Write criticism of Gabbert’s research - uses video task/low in

Para 3 (AO3): Write criticism of Gabbert’s research - risk of demand characteristics of lab experiment

Para 4 (AO2): Make argument that Loftus suggests misleading information is important in affecting EWT and briefly describe her study

Para 5 (AO3): Write criticism of Loftus’ work