Lecture 2: Eyewitness Memory

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Questions and Answers

What is a factor that can influence a person's perception of an event?

The lighting in the room

Their knowledge of sports

Their expectations and beliefs (correct)

Their racial identity

What is an example of an estimator variable that can affect witness accuracy?

Physical disguise (correct)

Flashbulb memory

Exposure time

Own race bias

What is the term for the tendency for people to have difficulty identifying people of another race?

Own cultural bias

Own age bias

Own gender bias

Own race bias (correct)

What is the phenomenon where people remember the circumstances surrounding a significant event?

Flashbulb memory Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential reason for the own race bias?

Lack of interracial contact Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a study that demonstrated the own race bias?

Platz & Hosch, 1988 Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of eyewitness testimony in court?

To provide persuasive evidence for the prosecution Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between recall memory and recognition memory?

Recall memory is used for reporting details, while recognition memory is used for identification evidence Signup and view all the answers

What are estimator variables in the context of eyewitness memory?

Variables that are present at the time of the crime and cannot be changed Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern of psychologists regarding eyewitness memory?

That it is not as reliable as the layperson may believe Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of discussing the false/repressed memory debate in the context of eyewitness testimony?

To understand the psychological factors that influence memory Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the lecture on eyewitness testimony?

To critically evaluate the reliability of eyewitness memory Signup and view all the answers

What is the key difference between system variables and estimator variables?

System variables can be changed, while estimator variables cannot be changed Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Wells, Lindsay, and Ferguson (1979) study in the context of eyewitness testimony?

It showed that eyewitness testimony is one of the most persuasive forms of evidence for juries Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of participants recalled a fictitious hot-air balloon ride in a false memory research study?

50% Signup and view all the answers

What is the Yerkes-Dodson law related to in the context of eyewitness testimony?

Memory is best at an optimum level of arousal Signup and view all the answers

What was the topic of the fake print advertisement shown to participants in a false memory research study?

A trip to Disneyland and meeting Bugs Bunny Signup and view all the answers

According to the Easterbrook hypothesis, what happens to memory for central and peripheral details with high arousal?

Memory for central details is improved, while memory for peripheral details is impaired Signup and view all the answers

According to Loftus, what may therapists sometimes do to their patients?

Implant false memories of sexual abuse Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the effect where the presence of a weapon impairs a witness' ability to identify a culprit?

Weapons focus effect Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of women did not report any childhood sexual abuse in a study by Williams (1994)?

38% Signup and view all the answers

In the study by Loftus et al. (1987), what was the independent variable?

The presence or absence of a gun Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the delay between witnessing an event and giving a statement, which can affect memory?

System variable Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible explanation for why some people may not report memories of childhood abuse?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Who wrote the book 'The Courage to Heal'?

Bass and Davis Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the phenomenon where exposure to incorrect information about an event after it has occurred causes people to incorporate this misinformation into their memories?

Misinformation effect Signup and view all the answers

Who is credited with the research on the misinformation effect?

Elizabeth Loftus Signup and view all the answers

What is a common debate in the context of repressed memories?

Whether repressed memories are real or false Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the questioning techniques used by the police that can affect eyewitness accuracy?

System variable Signup and view all the answers

What is the main argument of McNally and Geraerts' alternative perspective?

Abuse may not be perceived as traumatic at the time, and can be forgotten until triggered by reminders Signup and view all the answers

What is one implication of the misinformation effect on eyewitness testimony?

Police officers' leading questions can influence witnesses' memories Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a factor that can increase susceptibility to the misinformation effect?

Age (young or old) Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of research on the misinformation effect?

It raises ethical concerns about implanting false memories Signup and view all the answers

What is the main takeaway from the study of eyewitness testimony?

Eyewitness testimony is prone to mistakes Signup and view all the answers

What is the controversy surrounding the application of research on eyewitness issues to the courts?

The validity of laboratory simulations Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the variables that can be manipulated after the fact to impact witness accuracy?

System variables Signup and view all the answers

What can lead to the incorporation of incorrect information into a witness's memory for an event?

Leading questions by police officers Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Background

Eyewitness testimony is commonly used as evidence in court and is one of the most persuasive forms of evidence for juries (Wells, Lindsay, & Ferguson, 1979).
Eyewitness memory is typically assessed in two ways: recall memory and recognition memory.
Recall memory involves reporting details of a previously witnessed event or person.
Recognition memory involves reporting whether what is currently being viewed or heard is the same as the previously witnessed person or event of interest.

Estimator Variables and System Variables

There are two types of factors that can affect eyewitness memory: estimator variables and system variables.
Estimator variables are present at the time of the crime and cannot be changed.
System variables can be manipulated after the fact and impact the accuracy of witnesses.

Estimator Variables

Many features of an event can influence a person's perception, such as exposure time, lighting, distance, physical disguise, and distraction.
Witnesses can view the same thing and perceive it differently due to different expectations, beliefs, and current knowledge.
Context can affect our perception of events, and there is an own race bias, where people have difficulty identifying people of another race.
"Flashbulb memory" is a vivid memory of a specific event, and emotional level can affect memory, with optimal memory at an optimal level of arousal.
The Easterbrook hypothesis states that highly aroused witnesses have better memory for central details than peripheral details.
The weapons focus effect states that the presence of a weapon draws attention and impairs a witness' ability to identify a culprit.

System Variables

The delay between witnessing an event and giving a statement can affect memory.
Questioning techniques used by the police can affect eyewitness accuracy, and the misinformation effect can cause people to incorporate incorrect information into their memories.

Misinformation Effect

The misinformation effect is a phenomenon where people incorporate incorrect information into their memories after being exposed to it.
Research by Elizabeth Loftus (1975) demonstrated the misinformation effect, where participants who were asked leading questions later incorporated incorrect information into their memories.

False Memory Research

Research by Wade et al. (2002) showed that participants can be convinced of false memories through repeated interviews and suggestive questioning.
Research by Braun et al. (2002) showed that participants can be convinced of false memories through suggestive advertising.

Repressed / False Memories

There is a debate about whether repressed memories are real or false, with some arguing that therapists can implant false memories in patients.
Others believe that memories can be repressed and later recovered through therapy.

Implications of the Misinformation Effect

The misinformation effect has implications for the credibility of eyewitness testimony, as questioning techniques can affect the accuracy of witness memories.
Factors that increase susceptibility to the misinformation effect include age, hypnosis, suggestibility, credible source of misinformation, repetition of misinformation, and peripheral misinformation.

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Description

This quiz assesses your understanding of eyewitness testimony, including recall and recognition memory, and its role in the legal system.