Misleading information in Eye-Witness Testimony

Question 1

What is eye-witness testimony?

Answer 1

The evidence provided by those recalling an event who were present when the event took place.

Question 2

What is a schema?

Answer 2

A mental framework about people, places and things.

Question 3

How do schemas influence our memories?

Answer 3

They shortcut information and fill in gaps in our memory. Sometimes our memories of events are inaccurate.

Question 4

What is an example of how our schemas influence our memory?

Answer 4

If we think we saw a robber, we are more likely to presume they’re wearing dark clothing as that is our schema for robbers.

Question 5

What is a leading question?

Answer 5

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

Question 6

What was the aim of Loftus and Palmer (1974) experiment 1 and 2?

Answer 6

To investigate the effect of leading questions on the accuracy of eyewitness testimony.

Question 7

What was the sample in Loftus and Palmer (1974) experiment 1?

Answer 7

45 American students divided into 5 groups of 9.

Question 8

What was the method used in Loftus and Palmer (1974) experiment 1?

Answer 8

All watched a video of a car crash and were asked specific questions about the speed.
They manipulated the verb in the questions such as ‘smashed’ ‘bumped’

Question 9

What was the results of Loftus and Palmer (1974) experiment 1?

Answer 9

Estimated speed was affected by verb.
‘smashed’ average was 40.5mph
‘contacted’ was 31.8mph
Overall difference was 8.7mph

Question 10

what was the conclusion for Loftus and Palmer (1974) experiment 1?

Answer 10

Results show accuracy of EWT is affected by leading questions and that a verb can significantly affect the accuracy of judgements.

Question 11

What was the method used in Loftus and Palmer (1974) experiment 2?

Answer 11

repeated original study using the 2 verbs hit and smashed.
asked a series of questions about the incident.
‘did you see any broken glass’ there was none.

Question 12

What was the results of Loftus and Palmer (1974) experiment 2?

Answer 12

32% ‘smashed’ reported seeing glass.
14% who had ‘hit’ reported glass.
12% in control group thought they saw glass.

Question 13

A problem with Loftus and Palmers study is that there are methodological issues. What evidence is there to support this?

Answer 13

Experiment was in mundane environment. No induced stress or anxiety as it was a video of car crash unlike in real life.

Question 14

A problem with Loftus and Palmers study is that there are methodological issue. How can this be evaluated?

Answer 14

Low real world application as it’s an artificial environment.
Reduces internal validity of the study as we can’t be sure it can be applied to EWT in real life.

Question 15

A problem with research into eye-witness testimony is that there may be extraneous variables which affect the results. What evidence is there to support this?

Answer 15

A particular age has shown significant impact on accuracy.
Anastasi and Rhodes (2006) found 18-25yrs more accurate than 55-78yrs.

Question 16

A problem with research into eye-witness testimony is that there may be extraneous variables which affect the results. How can this be evaluated?

Answer 16

Extraneous variables of people’s age effecting results of EWAT.
As researchers use younger age groups so results can’t generalise to everyone.
Reducing internal validity.
Can’t be sure if research can be applied to everyone in EWT.

Question 17

There has been further supporting evidence of the effects of leading questions on the accuracy of eye-witness testimony, by Buran et al. (2002). What evidence is there to support this?

Answer 17

College students who’ve visited Disneyland as kids were asked to evaluate advertising material.
Bugs bunny (not a Disney character) and Ariel (wasn’t a character then).
Reports of participants shaken hands with them than a control group.

Question 18

There has been further supporting evidence of the effects of leading questions on the accuracy of eye-witness testimony, by Buran et al. (2002). How can this be evaluated?

Answer 18

Provides evidence for leading questions on everyday memory increasing validity of theory.
Suggesting that police should be careful when interviewing witnesses to ensure misinformation isn’t used.

Question 19

There are issues with Loftus and Palmers’ original study, including that it may be impacted by a response bias. What evidence is there to support this?

Answer 19

Bekerian and Bowers (1983) replicated Loftus original study and found that if the questions presented in the same order that participants have accurate EWT.

Question 20

There are issues with Loftus and Palmers’ original study, including that it may be impacted by a response bias. How can this be evaluated?

Answer 20

Suggests extraneous variable of question order might be a better explanation for change in behaviour.
Should be careful when using Loftus and Palmers’ results to explain EWT.
Further research should be conducted to see if cause and effect can be established.