Memory - Eyewitness testimony

Question 1

Eyewitness testimony (EWT)

Answer 1

The ability of people to remember the details of events, such as accidents and crimes, which they themselves have observed. Accuracy of EWT can be affected by factors such as misleading information, leading questions and anxiety.

Question 2

Misleading information

Answer 2

Incorrect information given to the eyewitness usually after the event. It can take many forms, such as leading questions and post-event discussions between co-witnesses and/or other people.

Question 3

Leading questions

Answer 3

A question which, because of the way it is phrased, suggests a certain answer.

Question 4

Post-event discussion (PED)

Answer 4

This occurs when there is more than one witness to an event. Witnesses may discuss what they’ve seen with co-witnesses or with other people. This may influence the accuracy of each witness’s recall of the event.

Question 5

Anxiety

Answer 5

A state of emotional and physical arousal. The emotions include having worried thoughts and feelings of tension. Physical changes include an increased heart rate and sweatiness. Anxiety is a normal reaction to stressful situations, but can affect the accuracy and detail of EWT.

Question 6

Cognitive interview (CI)

Answer 6

A method of interviewing eyewitnesses to help them retrieve more accurate memories. It uses 4 main techniques, all based on well-established psychological knowledge of human memory:
Report everything
Reinstate the context
Reverse the order
Change perspective.