Loftus and Palmer - Eyewitness Testimony

Question 1

What was the aim of Loftus and Palmer’s study?

Answer 1

• Aimed to investigate the effect of language on memory through 2 separate experiments.

Question 2

What was the difference between the first and second experiment in Loftus and Palmer’s study?

Answer 2

• Experiment 1 tested participants recollection of speed depending on an independent variable of verb used.
• Experiment 2 tested if participants memory could be altered to see broken glass by using a leading question. (Although this had two parts of two questionnaires)

Question 3

What were the experimental method and designs of the first and second experiment in Loftus and Palmer’s study?

Answer 3

• Both were a laboratory experiment using an independent measures design.

Question 4

How many participants were used in the first and second experiment of Loftus and Palmer’s study?

Answer 4

• Experiment 1 used 45 participants consisting of 5 groups of 9.
• Experiment 2 used 150 participants consisting of 3 groups of 50.

Question 5

How were demand characteristics reduced in the questionnaire in Loftus and Palmer’s study?

Answer 5

• They used distractor questions in order to reduce the likelihood of participants realising the true purpose of the study.

Question 6

What is an example of results from Loftus and Palmer’s first experiment?

Answer 6

• Smashed had 40.8 average speed estimate.

* Contacted had 31.8 average speed estimate.

Question 7

What is an example of results from Loftus and Palmer’s second experiment?

Answer 7

• Smashed had 16 saying yes to broken glass.
• Hit had 7 saying yes to broken glass.
• Control group had 6 saying yes to broken glass.

Question 8

What control group was used in Loftus and Palmer’s second experiment?

Answer 8

• A control group was used who was not asked about the speed of the car instead of “smashed” or “hit”.

Question 9

What was the procedure of the first experiment in Loftus and Palmer’s study?

Answer 9

• Participants were given the 7 film clips to watch and then a questionnaire to complete after each clip.
• Distractor questions were used to hide the experiment’s true cause, but the critical question of the speed of the car was manipulated using different verbs.

Question 10

What was the procedure of the second experiment in Loftus and Palmer’s study?

Answer 10

• Participants shown film and asked to fill in a questionnaire based on their condition.
• Returned a week later to fill in the second questionnaire without seeing the film again (asked about broken glass).