Memory: Factors affecting eyewitness testimony- misleading information

Question 1

Aim of loftus and palmer study

Answer 1

Investigated how misleading information could distort eyewitness testimony accounts

Question 2

Participants in loftus and palmer’s study
- What are they made to do
- How were they grouped

Answer 2

45 participants watched a film about car accidents.
There were 5 groups of participants

Question 3

What were they asked or given that influenced their answers?

Answer 3

Leading questions/misleading information

Question 4

What were the words that were changed in each group? (order from least to highest speed estimate)

Answer 4

contacted
hit
bumped
collided
smashed

Question 5

What was the highest speed estimate? And what word is it?

Answer 5

smashed, 40.5 mph

Question 6

Loftus & Palmer findings

Answer 6

The estimated speed was affected by the verb used. It affected the participant’s memory.
Those who heard the word ‘smashed, are encouraged to choose high speed estimates compared to contacted and hit.