Misleading Information

Question 1

What is post-event discussion, how does it effect EWT and who theorised it?

Answer 1

• Gabbert: when co-witnesses talk about the event with each other, can distort EWT

Question 2

What is the difference between substitution and response bias and who studied it?

Answer 2

• Loftus and Palmer asked about broken glass, leading question has altered the memory of the event. So, they are not merely trying to please the interviewer, their view of the even has actually been changed

Question 3

What is Misleading Information and give an example?

Answer 3

• False information given to an eye-witness mainly after an event e.g asking a leading question

Question 4

What is Memory Contamination and how does it happen?

Answer 4

• Original memory altered because witness combines misinformation from other witnesses with own memories

Question 5

What is Memory Conformity and why does it happen?

Answer 5

• Eyewitnesses may ‘go along’ with other witnesses memories to gain social approval or because they believe others are correct

Question 6

Who studied leading questions, what was the study and what did they find?

Answer 6

• Loftus and Palmer Car crash study, leading questions ( contacted, bumped, hit, collided, smashed) affected speed estimates pps gave

Question 7

How does knowledge of Misleading Information Apply to the real-world?

Answer 7

• Real world application. Consequences of EWT can be very serious, Loftus says officers need to be careful how they phrase their questions. Psychologist sometimes explain limits of EWT to juries. Protecting innocent people from faulty convictions

Question 8

What could effect the Validity of Loftus and Palmer’s research?

Answer 8

• Limits with research. Loftus and Palmer’s lab studies may not be valid as watching film clips is very different than the stress and pressure of giving a real EWT, in lab studies research pps are less motivated to be accurate. Suggests Loftus is too pessimistic about effect of misleading info - may be dependable.

Question 9

Who contradicted Substitution and why?

Answer 9

• Evidence against substitution. Sutherland and Hayne (2001). Pps recall was more accurate when they were asked about central details than peripheral ones. Memories of central details were relatively resistant to misleading info. central memories not distorted, an outcome not predicted by substitution explanation