Eyewitness Testimony and Memory Biases

A person who witnessed a crime, accident, or event giving a detailed account in court.

Errors and distortions during the memory process that are not based on the actual event itself.

Mistakes in recalling specific details of an event during testimony. Sometimes it involves remembering events that never occurred.

Statements made in court in the context of legal proceedings.

The process of identifying a suspect by an eyewitness in a line-up or other scenario during a trial.

Incorrect information introduced after an event that can impact memory reconstructions.

The study of human mind and behavior, in particular concerning eyewitness testimony.

Eyewitness testimony that is very convincing due to the human tendency to trust personal accounts.

Eyewitness accounts are often persuasive in court but can be inaccurate.

Errors in memory caused by information encountered after an event.

A question worded to suggest a particular answer.

Sentencing individuals for crimes they did not commit.

Freedom from charges because of DNA evidence.

Example of wrongful conviction based on mistaken eyewitness testimony

Witnesses' memories influence each other in a negative way

The impact of talking to each other on memories of an event.

Introducing incorrect details to affect reported memories.

Different ages and conditions affect the susceptibility of an individual.

Different people may notice and remember different details even of the same event.

Using a controlled environment to test the effects on memory

External information corrupting a person's memory of an event.

Questions worded in a way that suggests a particular answer.

Website that investigates wrongful convictions and is a resource for DNA exonerations.

When witnesses discuss an event, their memories can become contaminated, leading to inaccurate details.

A set of photographs used in eyewitness identification, containing the suspect and innocent 'fillers'.

A lineup where the actual perpetrator is included among the suspects.

A lineup where the actual perpetrator is NOT included.

When a witness incorrectly identifies a suspect from a target present lineup, or picks a filler from a target absent lineup.

Conditions like poor lighting, stress, limited viewing time, or delay in identification can impact a witness's accuracy.

Witnesses often struggle to identify people of a different race from their own.

A lineup where the suspect and fillers look similar and don't stand out, avoiding bias.

A lineup procedure where neither the witness nor the officer conducting the lineup knows who the suspect is.

A lineup where suspects are presented one at a time, rather than all together, reducing comparison bias.

Mental frameworks or representations of common events or situations, influencing our memories.

The feeling of knowing a word or name but being unable to recall it.

A mental framework or template that helps us organize and make sense of information based on prior experiences and knowledge.

Memories of events that never actually happened, often implanted through suggestion or manipulation.

Information that aligns with our existing expectations and mental frameworks, making it easier to remember.

A memory for an event that never actually happened.

False memories can lead to inaccurate accounts, wrongful convictions, and even harm to individuals involved.

People included in a lineup (photo or live) who are not the suspect, used to test if a witness identifies the right person.

False memories can be implanted through suggestive questioning, repeated suggestion, or exposure to false information.

Common false memories include being lost in a shopping mall, nearly drowning, or witnessing a violent event.

People participating in research studies who pretend to be witnesses, allowing researchers to study memory.

A pioneering study demonstrating the creation of false memories by suggesting a childhood experience.

A process where a witness is shown a group of people, including the suspect, to see if they can identify the perpetrator.

Eyewitness testimony is often considered reliable, but research suggests that it can be highly inaccurate due to memory errors and biases.

Factors influencing eyewitness memory include leading questions, pre-existing biases, and conversations with other witnesses.

A professional with specialized knowledge in a field, who provides testimony in legal cases.

Improving police procedures, using proper questioning techniques, and emphasizing witness confidence can enhance the reliability of eyewitness testimony.

Memory errors and biases can lead to wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice.

A method for implanting false memories by presenting subjects with fabricated computer-generated analysis of their past experiences.

The impact of false memories on subsequent behavior and attitudes.

False memories can be deeply ingrained and feel just as real as true memories, making it difficult to distinguish between them.