Memory - Em's Flashcards
Why do leading questions affect EWT?
substitute explanation
The substitution explanation states the wording of the leading question actually changes the participants memories
What are the limitations of misleading information? (4)
• Tasks are artificial
- not representable
• Individual differences
- own age bias
• Demand characteristics
- finding might not be representative
• Consequences of EWT
- important consequences in real life
What are the strengths of misleading information? (1)
• Useful real-life applications
- Loftus believes police should be careful phrasing questions
Why do leading questions affect EWT?
Response bias explanation
The response-bias explanation suggests that the wording of the questions have no real effect on the participants memories but influences how they word their answer
What are the 4 main techniques in cognitive interview? (RRRC)
- Report everything
- Reinstate the context
- Reverse the order
- Change perspective
What is eyewitness testimony?
The ability of people to remember details of events, such as accidents and crimes, which they themselves witnessed
What is misleading information?
Incorrect information given to the eyewitness usually after the event. This can be as leading questions and post-event discussions between co-witnesses
What is a leading question?
A question which, because of the way it is phrased, suggests a certain answer
What is post event discussion?
PED occurs when there is more than one witness to the event. Witnesses may discuss what they have seen which may influence the accuracy of their recall
What factors effect EWT? (3)
- misleading information
- leading questions
- anxiety
What is anxiety?
A state of emotional and physical arousal.
The emotions include having worried thoughts and feelings of tension.
The psychical changes include increased heart rate and sweatiness.
What is cognitive interview?
A method of interviewing eyewitnesses to help them retrieve more accurate memories
What study shows anxiety has a negative effect on recall?
Johnson and Scott (1976) told participants they were taking part in a study.
There were 2 waiting rooms, ‘low-anxiety’ and ‘high-anxiety’.
What are the limitations of the retrieval failure theory?
- context effect is not as strong in real life
- context effect may be related to the kind of memory being tested
- EPs can’t be tested, so there is no way of knowing when the cue was coded
What are the strengths of retrieval failure theory?
- There is a lot of supporting evidence, such as studies by Godden and Baddeley. This increased validity
- there are real life applications, eg when you go upstairs to get something but forget what it is but remember when you go back downstairs
