Loftus and Palmer (1974) Flashcards
(30 cards)
reconstructive memory definition
the way in which our biases and prejudices can unconsciously lead us to have memories of events that are distortions of what actually happened
leading questions definition
a question that by its form or content suggests to the witness what answer is desired or leads them to the desired answer
aim of loftus and palmer experiment
to investigate the effects of language on memory
what research method used in the experiment and how do we know
laboratory experiment, the IV (critical question) was manipulated by the experimenter, and the study took place in a controlled environment
in what way was the data collected
through a questionnaire
describe the sample in experiment one
45 student participants split into 5 groups of 9 from Washington USA
name the 5 verbs used in the different conditions of experiment 1 (IV)
contacted, hit, bumped, collided, smashed
what was the dependent variable of experiment one
the mean speed estimate (in miles per hour)
Describe the procedure of experiment one
- participants shown SEVEN film clips, given a questionnaire to complete after each clip
- two parts of the questionnaire: give an account of the accident just seen, answer a set of questions related to the accident
(researchers interested in critical question about the speed of the vehicle) - groups presented with a different order of films to prevent order effects ( exp lasted around 1 hour 30 min)
- IV manipulated by changing the wording of the critical question with different verbs
(critical question dependent variable, hidden by distracter questions) - question format ‘about how fast were the cars going when they —– each other?’
- each subject received one of 5 questions in their questionnaire, theorised stronger verb equals higher speed estimate
what is the mean speed estimate for the verb smashed
40.8mph
what is the mean speed estimate for the verb collided
39.3mph
what is the mean speed estimate for the verb bumped
38.1mph
what is the mean speed estimate for the verb hit
34.0mph
what is the mean speed estimate for the verb contacted
31.8mph
conclusions from experiment one
the form of the question affected the witnesses
Describe interpretation 1 of experiment 1 explanation of results
(Response bias)
- the word in the critical question biases participants to give a different speed estimate
Describe interpretation 2 of experiment 1 explanation of results
(Memory change)
The language used causes a change in the participants memory representation of events (the verb ‘smashed’ could mean the participants ‘see’ a more severe accident when trying to remember it)
What experimental design was used in experiment 2 and why
Laboratory experiment, DV and IV controlled in a controlled environment
Describe the sample in experiment 2
- 150 student participants (divided into 3 groups of 50)
- Washington USA
Describe stage 1 of experiment 2
- participants watch a less than a minute film showing a multiple car crash
- asked to fill out 1/3 versions of a questionnaire (depending on the group)
Describe stage 2 of experiment 2
- participants asked 10 questions
- contains critical question ‘did you see any broken glass?’
What were the 3 conditions of the independent variable in experiment 2
50 participants asked
- ‘about how fast were the cars going when they smashed into each other?’
Or
- ‘about how fast were the cars going when they hit each other?’
Or
- not asked about speed of vehicles, control group
What was the dependent variable of experiment 2
The number of participants from each condition of the experiment who said they remembered having seen broken glass in the video
How many participants in the ‘smashed’ verb condition remembered seeing broken glass
16/50
