Factors Affecting EWT - Misleading Information Flashcards
(11 cards)
What did Bartlett (1932) argue about memories?
- Memories are not accurate ‘snapshots’ of events, particularly preserved, but are instead ‘reconstructions’ of events.
- these reconstructions influenced by our personal attitudes and the stereotypes we hold
- if recall is objective then this is a problem for EWT
What is a Schema?
- packages of info about people and objects in the world around us
What do we use schemas for?
- mental shortcuts because when we recall a memory it is influenced by schemas, memories change to fit with the individuals pre-existing bias
What are leading questions and what do they cause?
- imply a particular answer that can influence how a memory is recalled
- could be due to an actual change to the memory (Substitution bias)
- or no change in memory but due to emotional pressure to give a particular response (response bias)
What is post event discussion?
- When recalling of events by one witness alters accuracy of the recall by another witness.
- could be memory conformity - witnesses go along with others accounts for social approval
What was Loftus and Palmer’s (1974) study?
- 45 participants shown car accident
- ‘how fast were they going when they _ into each other?’
- _ (smashed, collided, bumped, hit, contacted)
- more extreme verb lead to a faster MPH estimation
What was Loftus and Palmer’s follow up study?
- 150 participants shown car accident clip and asked if they saw broken glass
- ‘smashed’ or ‘hit’ lead to more participants said they saw broken glass when ‘smashed’ was used showing a substitution bias
Misleading Information Strength - Point
Real world application in criminal justice system
Misleading Information Strength - Evidence
Consequences of inaccurate EWT are serious. Loftus (1975) said police officers need to phrase questions carefully to witnesses because of distorting effects.
Misleading Information Limitation - Point
Lack of population validity in Loftus and Palmer (1974) study
Misleading Information Limitation - Evidence
45 and 150 students from Washington so less experienced drivers so possibly less accurate speed estimations