Eyewitness Testimony

Eyewitness Testimony

1. GABBERT ET AL

   • video of crime
     • participants split into pairs, one saw details such as name of a book
       • participants discussed what they recall (control had no discussion)
   • experimental condition; 71% mistakenly recalled
   • witnesses go along for social approval or they believe other is right

2. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

   • Loftus' research showed how leading questions can have significant distortions on recall
     • this understanding can help avoid biased questions; important in legal system
       • positive contribution + utility of research

3. Post Event Discussion

   • info after event which can influence someone's memory

4. LOFTUS + PALMER

   • 45 students watched car accident, asked about speed, used words such as 'smashed' or 'contacted'
     • more powerful verb made participants estimate a much faster speed
       • leading questions can have distorting effect + give inaccurate accounts

5. RELIABILITY

   • Loftus; controlled over EV's and standardised procedures = easy to replicate
     • conducted large number of studies + found same outcome
       • increase validity

6. Leading Questions

   • suggests what answer is desired

7. LACK VALIDITY

   • research is artificial; video of car accident is not same as experiencing in real life; not as unexpected + emotional
     • Foster et al - real life robbery important to trial then identification is more accurate
       • results don't apply to real life situations; different environments