Factors affecting EWT - Misleading information

Question 1

Eyewtiness testimony (EWT)

Answer 1

Ability of people to remember details of an event, e.g. crimes, which they themselves have observed.

Question 2

Misleading information

Answer 2

• Incorrect information given to the eyewitness, usually after the event.
• Takes many forms like leading leading questions and post-event discussion between co-witness and/or other people.

Question 3

Leading question

Answer 3

A question which tries to elicit a specific response, due to the way it’s phrased.

Question 4

Post-event discussion (PED)

Answer 4

• Occurs when there is more than one witness to an event.
• Witnesses may discuss what they may have seen with co-witnesses or other people ; which may influence each witness’s accuracy of recall of the event.

Question 5

Loftus and Palmer (1974) study

Answer 5

• Pps watched videos of car accidents and were asked how fast the cars were going when they ‘‘smashed,’’ ‘‘collided,’’ ‘‘bumped,’’ ‘‘hit,’’ or ‘‘contacted.’’
• A week later some were asked if they saw broken glass (there was none).
• Speed estimates varied by verb ; ‘‘smashed’’ led to highest speeds.
• More pps in the ‘‘smashed’’ group falsely recalled seeing broken glass.
• In conclusion, leading questions can distort memory (links to memory reconstruction).