14. Eyewitness Testimony: Misleading Information AO3

Question 1

Name a strength of misleading information

Answer 1

It has real life applications- research has led to important practical used for police officers and investigators- consequences of EWT can be very serious

Question 2

What did Loftus claim

Answer 2

Leading questions can have such a distorting influence on memory that police officers need to be careful how they phrase questions when interviewing eyewitnesses

Question 3

Give a limitation of Loftus and Palmer’s study

Answer 3

• use of artificial materials

Question 4

Outline the issue of artificial materials in L&P’s study

Answer 4

Using artificial tasks tells us little about how leading questions affect EWT in real crimes or accidents

Question 5

What other study can compare to Loftus and Palmer

Answer 5

Yuille and Cutshall found witnesses of traumatic real armed robbery had very accurate recall after 4 months

Question 6

Name a limitation of using a lab study

Answer 6

Demand characteristics

Question 7

Explain demand characteristics

Answer 7

Participants usually want to be helpful and attentive - so when they’re asked a question and don’t know answer they guess - especially in yes/no situations

Question 8

Give an example of demand characteristics

Answer 8

Participants may be asked ‘did you see a blue car?’ - even if there wasn’t a blue car in the film - participants may reply ‘yes’ thinking it’s helpful

Question 9

Explain why demand characteristics are an issue

Answer 9

Challenges validity of EWT research - studies intend to measure accuracy of EW memory but answer EW gives may not properly reflect their memory