Memory: Accuracy of EWT- Misleading Information

Memory: Accuracy of EWT- Misleading Information

1. Innocence project suggested that 72% of convictions overturned by DNA testing involved inaccurate EWT's

2. Two example of Misleading information are 'Leading Questions' 'Post-event discussion'.

3. LEADING QUESTIONS!

   • LOFTUS + PALMER (1974)
   • PROCEDURE: 45 students were shown 7 different films of road accidents. Each were asked the critical question: 'about how fast were the cars going when they hit each other?' Split into 5 groups- group 1 was asked the above question. Other 4 were asked the question but the word hit was replaced with 'smashed, collided bumped, hit and contacted'.
     • Verbs used are leading as they imply a certain speed.
   • FINDINGS: mean speed estimates were as follows.. Smashed = 40.8mph, Collided = 39.3mph, Bumped= 38.1mph, Hit = 34mph, Contacted = 31.8mph

4. LOFTUS + PALMER (EXPERIMENT NO.2)

   • PROCEDURE: A new set of participants are divided into 3 groups and were shown a film of an accident (1min long). They were then questioned about the speed as before. Participants were asked to return a week later to answer some questions including critical question 'Did you see any broken glass?' (no broken glass was in the film).
   • FINDINGS... SMASHED = 16 yes, HIT = 7 yes, CONTROL GROUP= 6 yes. Verb influenced memory participant had of event.

5. POST EVENT DISCUSSION!

   • CONFORMITY EFFECT: Gabbert et al (2003) suggested that Co-witnesses create a consensus of what happened between one another.
     • PROCEDURE: Participants were put into pairs and each was shown a different video and so viewed completely unique items. Before recalling back what they had seen to researcher, pairs were encouraged to discuss the videos.
     • FINDINGS: 71% of participants recalled incorrect information
   • REPEAT INTERVIEWING: La Rooy et al (2005)- each time a person is interviewed their account cn be altered by comments made by the interviewer. Eg. they may use leading questions. He found that the effect was greater on young people.