Memory: EWT Flashcards
(22 cards)
Name the 3 factors affecting the accuracy of EWT
- Misleading information
- Age
- Anxiety
State the APFC of the (the first) Loftus and Palmer study into misleading information
Aim: Investigate effects of leading questions on eye-witness testimony accounts
Procedure: 45 students, 7 films of accidents, control group + 4 experimental groups. Questionnaire about the accident(s) - control asked ‘how fast were the cars going when they hit?’, other 4 had variations of ‘smashed’, ‘collided’, ‘bumped’ + ‘contacted’
Findings: Speed estimated higher when asked ‘smashed’ than ‘contacted’
Conclusion: Phrasing of leading questions affects eyewitness testimony reported
Describe Loftus and Palmer’s second study, with clear distinction from the first
Smaller; 3 groups where one had question re. speed including ‘smashed’, the second had ‘hit’ and the third had no speed question at all. Week later asked back, critical question about broken glass. More Ps said yes to glass after ‘smashed’ than ‘hit’ or no speed question. Concludes misleading information can implant non-existent memories in EWT
List’s study? (supporting evidence)
Asked Ps to rate list of possible elements in a shoplifting scenario in terms of likeliness. Video created featuring some from the list, Ps viewed and tended to recall the featured high probability rather than low probability - plus occasionally the non-featured high probability elements too
Yuille and Cutshall (opposing study)
Suggested EWT actually more accurate in real life, criticising the ecological validity of Loftus. Witnesses account of robbery the same 4 months later (with misleading questions used)
Loftus study into anxiety on EWT
Lab experiment investigating presence of weapon on anxiety. Ps waited outside before study where they heard talking. One heard amicable discussion re equipment where man left with greasy pen, the other heard hostile discussion followed by man with bloody knife. Condition with pen more accurate on recall of man than knife condition. Concludes anxiety from weapon narrowed attention, so less accurate.
Supporting study into anxiety
Deffenbacher et al
A: look into effects of heightened anxiety on EWT
P: Meta-analysis of 18 studies
F: High levels of stress negatively impacted EWT accuracy
C: Memory impaired if too anxious
Loftus anxiety follow up (supporting AO2)
When recorded eye movements of eyewitnesses, attention physically drawn to weapon not face, explains weapon impact on recall
Contradicting real life study into anxiety
Christianson and Hubinette
Found that 58 real robbery witnesses who had been somehow threatened during the robbery were more accurate in recall, remembered more details than those less involved and less anxious (even 15 months later too). Shows anxiety can improve EWT.
Facial recognition study into the effects of age on EWT accuracy
Yarmey - stopped 651 adults in public places and asked to recall physical features of a woman they’d talked to minutes ago. Young + middle aged more confident, but there was no difference in accuracy between ages
Memon
Looked at accuracy of younger and older eyewitnesses upon recall. When short delay between incident and identification, no difference in accuracy. After 1 week, older less accurate.
Anastasi and Rhodes
Variety of individuals shown 24 photos and rated them in terms of attractiveness. After short time presented with same 24 and new 24, asked to identify - young and middle aged more accurate than older Ps. However, all ages more accurate identifying their own age group = own-age bias
4 techniques used in the cognitive interview?
- Context reinstatement
- Report everything
- Changing perspective
- Changing order
Aim of the cognitive interview?
To encourage witnesses to recall more information
Context reinstatement
Mentally reinstate the context of the event through recall of environmental and emotional factors
Report everything
Interviewer encourages every detail, even if irrelevant
Changing perspective
Witness asked to recall from perspective of others involved
Changing order
Recall through reversing/altering the order of the event timeline to encourage different memories
Geiselman et al positive study of CI
Tested participants by showing videos of stimulated crime and then tested different groups with standard, cognitive or hypnosis interviews. Found CI retrieved more information
Contradictory element of Geiselman et al study
Reviewed number of studies and found children under 6 less accurate under the CI - instructions difficult to understand
CI ethical criticism
Issues with asking witnesses to mentally relive experiences is too traumatic, might lead to lack of protection from harm, not ethical
CI police criticism
Concerns about amount of incorrect recall generated, took too long to complete enhanced CI - not as effective with just the simpler stages
