W4 Eyewitness Identification pt2 Flashcards
What is a key characteristic of a “good” lineup?
It should have unbiased instructions, a double-blind presentation, and fairness in lineup composition.
What is “lineup bias”?
A situation where the lineup is structured in a way that influences the witness’s identification, often favoring the suspect.
What does the functional size of a lineup refer to?
The number of plausible candidates included in the lineup, which is crucial for testing memory fairly for both the suspect and the witness.
What strategy do researchers generally recommend for selecting foils in a lineup?
The match-description (M-D) strategy, where foils match the description provided by the eyewitness but may vary in other characteristics.
What is the risk of using foils that are “too similar” to the suspect?
It can create an impossible memory task for the eyewitness, leading to inaccurate identifications.
What role does eyewitness (EW) confidence play in the legal system?
Confident identifications are often seen as persuasive evidence, even though they may not correlate with accuracy.
What are accumulator models in the context of eyewitness identification?
Models that suggest stronger memory leads to better discrimination and higher confidence in identification.
How can repeated questioning affect eyewitness confidence?
It can increase confidence in incorrect identifications, making the witness more certain about their choice.
What is the difference between simultaneous and sequential lineup presentations?
Simultaneous lineups encourage relative judgments, while sequential lineups promote absolute judgments, potentially reducing bias.
What are the findings regarding sequential lineups compared to simultaneous lineups?
Sequential lineups often lead to lower choosing rates and fewer false IDs in target-absent lineups.
What is a “showup” in the context of eyewitness identification?
A procedure where a single suspect is presented to the witness to determine if they are the perpetrator.
What do social factors and demand characteristics refer to in eyewitness identification?
Influences from the environment or experimenter that can unintentionally lead the witness to make biased decisions.
Why is it important to implement double-blind lineup procedures?
To minimize bias from both the eyewitness and the lineup administrator, ensuring more reliable results.
What types of instructional biases should be avoided in lineup administration?
Instructions that imply the culprit is present, emphasize the importance of making a positive ID, or do not provide a “not present” option.
