Loftus + Palmer Flashcards
1
Q
key theme + area
A
key theme = memory
area = cognitive psychology
1
Q
background
A
eyewitness testimony - descriptions provided by individuals who have witnessed an event
- memory of an event - info gained at time + info gained after
2
Q
procedure of experiment 1
A
- 45 student ppts shown short video clips
- split into 5 groups, 9ppts in each
all asked “about how fast were the cars going when they …….. each - other” - each group given different verb; smashed, collided, bumped, hit, contacted
- ppts took part to gain course credit
2
Q
aim
A
to investigate the effect of information provided to a witness after an event will influence their memory of the event.
3
Q
research method
A
2 lab experiments, independent measures
IV’s = verb used at the end of the critical question
DV = the estimate of speed or whether the ppt saw glass
4
Q
procedure of experiment 2
A
- 150 students shown a short film
- split into 3 groups (50 in each)
- one group asked - “how fast were the cars going when they hit each other “
- second group asked “ how fast were the cars going when they smashed each other”
- third group not asked any questions about the speed
- on week later, ppts returned and asked “did you see any broken glass”
- there was no broken glass in the film
5
Q
results of experiment 1
A
- how the questions were phrased influenced the ppts estimated speed.
- when verb smashed used, ppts estimated that the cars were travelling much faster (40.8mph) than when the verb contacted was used (31.8mph)
5
Q
results of experiment 2
A
- verb used in the original question influenced whether the ppts thought they had seen broken glass.
- 16 ppts in the smashed condition said they had seen broken glass compared to 7 in the hit condition and 6 in the co0ntrol condition
6
Q
conclusion
A
wording of questions can alter witnesses memories of events
