Yullie & Cutshall (1986)

Question 1

Where can this study be used? (2)

Answer 1

Research methods used in the cognitive approach.
To what extent is one cognitive process reliable?

Question 2

Crime story (background)

Answer 2

• The crime scene was in Vancouver.
• A thief entered a gun shop and tied up the owner before stealing money and guns from the shop.
• The owner freed himself, and thinking that the thief had escaped, went outside the shop. But the thief was still there and shot him twice.
• Police had been called and there was gunfire - and the thief was eventually killed.
• As the incident took place in front of the shop, there were eyewitnesses - 21 were interviewed by the police.

Question 3

Aim

Answer 3

To investigate whether leading questions influence the memory of eyewitnesses in a real-life, emotionally impactful crime, replicating Loftus & Palmer’s aim in a naturalistic setting

Question 4

Participants

Answer 4

Real shooting incident (in Vancouver) witnessed by 21 people
* 13 eyewitnesses agreed to participate four months later

Question 5

Method

Answer 5

• P gave a free recall account and were then asked two leading questions
  
  • “A” vs “The” broken headlight (none existed)
  • “A” vs “The” yellow panel (panel was actually blue)
• P also rated their stress level on a 7 point scale
• Forensic evidence and original police reports used to verify memory accuracy

Question 6

Results

Answer 6

• eyewitnesses were highly accurate: memory matched police reports 79% - 84%
• 10 out of 13 P correctly said there was no broken headlight or yellow panel
• leading questions has little to no effect - contradicting Loftus & Palmer
• witnesses reported no fear but an adrenaline rush - suggests emotional arousal may have strengthened memory