Classic Research: Loftus and Palmer (AO3)

Question 1

Evaluate the METHODOLOGY of L+P: High control

Answer 1

• Strength of a lab experiment is it has high levels of control
• All procedures were Standardised (students)
• Only the critical question changed between groups
• Research was conducted in a consistent way, increasing reliability

Question 2

Evaluate the METHODOLOGY of L+P: Order effects

Answer 2

• Strength is that there are no order effects
• Independent measures design, each student only completed one condition each
• Less likely to be tired, increasing the validity of the research

Question 3

Evaluate the METHODOLOGY of L+P: Demand Characteristics

Answer 3

• Weakness as its a lab experiment
• Students were aware of the study
• Trying to work out thr aim, maybe less honest
• Less valid

Question 4

Evaluate the METHODOLOGY of L+P: Quantitative data

Answer 4

• Strength as the estimated speed in MPH as well as the number of ppts who saw glass are all numerical values
• Objective data, meaning no bias through interpretation of the data.

Question 5

Evaluate the ETHICS of L+P: Deception and a lack of Informed Consent

Answer 5

• Loftus concealed true aim by using filler questions, meaning the ppts were deceived.
• Therefore they did not give their full informed consent
• However deception may have prevented them from discovering the aims of the study, which increased the studies validity

Question 6

Evaluate the ETHICS of L+P: Lack of right to withdraw

Answer 6

• Loftus was their professor, students may have felt obliged to participate
• Experiment 2 meant they had to return a week later, may have also felt obliged

Question 7

Evaluate the ETHICS of L+P: Protection from harm

Answer 7

• Avoided psychological harm as students watched 5-30 second clips of the accidents rather than seeing a controlled crash as an alternative
• However those who have been in accidents before may still experience distress when viewing the clips

Question 8

Evaluate the SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS of L+P: Savings

Answer 8

• Savings in the justice system
• £124 billion a year spent on retrial and compensation for wrongfully convicted people as a result of eyewitness testimony from leasing questions
• Evidence that leading questions can alter memory, therefore will not rely solely on eyewitness accounts. Therefore should get less false convictions and less money will be spent on compensation.