Misleading Information: Leading Questions

Question 1

What is a Leading Question?

Answer 1

A question that implies a certain answer as a result of its wording

Question 2

What are the two explanations for how Leading Questions affect the accuracy of eyewitness testimonies?

Answer 2

• Substitution Explanation
• Response-Bias Explanation

Question 3

What is the Substitution Explanation?

Answer 3

The idea that the wording of a leading question change an individuals memory of an event

Question 4

What is the Response-Bias Explanation?

Answer 4

The idea that the wording of a leading question doesn’t change an individual’s memory of an event, but does influence how they choose to answer due to the “correct” answer that is implied

Question 5

Describe Loftus & Palmer’s Study into the affect of Leading Question

Answer 5

• Participants watched a film clip of a car crash
• There were 5 Conditions
• In each condition the participants were asked to estimate what speed the cars were going when they either… hit, contacted, collided, bumped or smashed?”
• Estimated speeds changed depending on which verb was used

Question 6

Which crucial verb in Loftus & Palmer’s Study into the affect of Leading Questions produced the highest estimated speed?

Answer 6

Smashed, at an estimated speed of 40mph

Question 7

Which crucial verb in Loftus & Palmer’s Study into the affect of Leading Questions produced the lowest estimated speed?

Answer 7

Contacted, at an estimated speed of 31mph

Question 8

Describe Loftus & Zanni’s Study into the affect of Leading Questions

Answer 8

• Participants watched a film clip of a car crash
• In Condition 1, participants were asked “Did you see the broken headlight?”
• In Condition 2, participants were asked “Did you see a broken headlight?”
• Significantly more participants incorrectly reported seeing a broken headlight in the “The condition compared to the “A” condition

Question 9

In Loftus & Zanni’s Study into the affect of Leading Questions, what percentage of participants reported seeing a broken headlight in the ”The” condition compared to the ”A” condition?

Answer 9

17% compared to 7%

Question 10

What positive application has research into the affect of Leading Questions had on the juristical system?

Answer 10

The development of the Cognitive Interview, which involves training police officers to not ask leading questions