Eye Witness Testimony. research into this area has found that eyewitness testimony can be affected by many psychological factors
Eyewitness testimony: Eyewitness testimony is an important area of research in cognitive psychology and human memory. It refers to an account given by people of an event they have witnessed. For example they may be required to give a description at a trail of a robbery or a road accident someone has seen. Jurys tend to pay close attention to eyewitness testimony and generally find it a reliable source of information. However, research into this area has found that eyewitness testimony can be affected by many psychological factors: - Age of witness: Age of witness can be one of many factors on eyewitness testimony. We have to keep in mind that if our witnesses are older they might have illnesses that can effect their memory. - Anxiety: People who were subjected to the highest levels of anxiety were nearest to the incident so would have been able to see more clearly what happened. Loftus Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate how information supplied after an event, influences a witness's memory for that event. The study actually consists of two laboratory experiments. They are both examples of an independent measures design. The independent variable in both of the experiments is the verb used. The dependent variable in the first experiment is the participant's speed estimate and the dependent variable in the second experiment is whether the participant believed
Describe and Evaluate Research by E.Loftus into Eye Witness Testimony, the implications of the findings and the Cognitive Interview.
Describe and Evaluate Research by E.Loftus into Eye Witness Testimony, the implications of the findings and the Cognitive Interview. One area of importance into memory research is Eyewitness Testimony which can have important applications to everyday life. Understanding our memory of events that occurred when a crime or incident has happened, details of who and what happened surrounding the crime or event relies on eyewitnesses and their recollection of the crime' or incident. A legal term) Eyewitness Testimony is crucial as it plays an important role in evidence used in criminal investigations and trials. However research into eyewitness testimony has shown that Eyewitness Testimony is not always accurate. One of the leading researchers in the field of Eye Witness Testimony (EWT) is Elizabeth Loftus who along with her colleagues carried out extensive research in EWT. In 1974 Loftus & Palmer conducted an experiment to investigate the accuracy of memory after witnessing a car accident, particularly to see how information provided to a witness by way of leading questions after the accident would influence their recollection of the accident. In the first experiment carried out under laboratory conditions, 45 participants divided into 5 groups were shown 7 clips of events leading up to a car accident, after each clip they were asked to answer some questions but the crucial
'It is clear from psychological research into memory and eye-witness testimony that accounts of eye-witnesses are entirely unreliable.' Critically consider some relevant psychological research (studies and/or research)
'It is clear from psychological research into memory and eye-witness testimony that accounts of eye-witnesses are entirely unreliable.' Critically consider some relevant psychological research (studies and/or research) and the extent to which such research supports the view in the quotation. Eyewitness testimony (EWT) refers to the descriptions given in a criminal trial by individuals who were present at the scene of a crime. This includes identification of perpetrators, important details and peripheral details There have been many studies done by different psychologists into memory and forms of forgetting; some of these can be used in the argument for whether or not eyewitness testimony is reliable. The reconstructive nature of memory is related to the schema theory. A schema is a package of memory that is organized and developed throughout our lives. Schemas are stored in long term memory. Most people have similar schemas and this was recognized by Bower, Black and Turner (1979) when they asked several people to recall the schema for the most important things they do when they go out to a restaurant for a meal. They found out that most people put the same main aspects in their schemas. As early as 1895 J.M Cattel reported a study indicating poor recall for frequently observed events. In one study Cattel asked his students about the previous weeks weather. It had snowed,
The purpose of this essay is to discuss whether eye-witness testimony draws upon the same kinds of memory representations as are used for recalling other scenes or events?
The purpose of this essay is to discuss whether eye-witness testimony draws upon the same kinds of memory representations as are used for recalling other scenes or events? In addressing the relevant points it will be necessary to firstly look at what is meant by "Eye Witness Testimony" and understand the different issues such as events witnessed versus expectations. An understanding of representations is then necessary in order to link the two components. It is also necessary to understand schemas and their contribution to memory, plus the different levels of processing involved in memory and issues such as repression which may also have a bearing. Different studies of Eye-witness testimony, memory and schemas will help broaden the discussion and enable a summary to be made which addresses the question as to whether eye-witness testimony draws upon the same kinds of memory representations as are used for recalling other scenes or events? Our legal system assumes, until proven otherwise, that an eye-witnesses memory of events such as an accident, will not be distorted. But any such report of events can be influenced significantly by the manner in which questioning takes place. Talented Barristers for example ask leading questions suggesting a particular version of events. Certain words like "smashed" when used in the context of a car accident, carries the connotation of high
Eye-Witness Testimony Until now we have focused upon theoretical psychology that employ methods that are removed from real life
Topic 3 - Eye-Witness Testimony Until now we have focused upon theoretical psychology that employ methods that are removed from real life. Neisser was one psychologist who criticized his fellow psychologists for concentrating too much on theoretical concepts and ignoring the practical issues involved about memory. It is memory from real life experiences that psychologists must concentrate on and one aspect of this is known as the eyewitness testimony. Reliability of Eyewitness Testimony It is without doubt that eyewitnesses to a crime are one of the most important people to the police when trying to get a conviction but we must remember that sometimes they can be un-reliable. Sometimes we cannot recall the exact events that surround the incident or sometimes it can be distorted so that details are lost or inaccurate ones added. In real life it is not necessary to precisely recall specific things in order to use them in every day life e.g. we do not need to remember exactly what a 10p piece looks like in order to use it to buy a sweet. In other words there are many areas in everyday memory that we do not need to recall exactly. Reconstructive Memory Reconstructive memory basically means what affect the event had on us rather than the precise details surrounding it. However we must remember that reminiscing on particular events can lead to them being distorted through our
A study by Loftus and Palmer (1974) into the accuracy of Eye Witness Testimony aimed to find out if changing the wording of a question could distort ones ability to recall from memory an event.
The accuracy of Eye Witness Testimony has been tested by many different approaches in psychological research of memory. A study by Loftus and Palmer (1974) into the accuracy of Eye Witness Testimony aimed to find out if changing the wording of a question could distort one's ability to recall from memory an event. They showed their participants a series of car crash videos before asking them to fill out a questionnaire. One of the most important questions included asking the participants what speed the cars were travelling at. They used an independent measures design to divide the participants into 5 conditions: 'Smashed', 'Collided', 'Bumped', 'Hit', 'Contacted'. The results from this experiment provide good research into accuracy of eyewitness testimony because it found that by changing the wording of a question, it significantly influenced the speeds given by the participants. For example, those in the 'smashed' condition provided the highest average of speed of 40.8mph, whilst those in the 'contacted' condition's average were merely 31.8mph. Similarly, when called back a week later and asked if any broken glass was seen, they found that although there wasn't any present, 32% in the 'smashed' condition said they had seen broken glass. Loftus and Palmer therefore concluded that by using the word 'smash' it gives suggestions of strong impact and thus shows that leading
Eyewitness Testimony
Eyewitness Testimony Numerous research studies have identified several problems with eyewitness testimony. One of the main researchers in this field is Elizabeth Loftus. Although it is known that schemas can affect the way we remember events, Elizabeth Loftus has been interested in the effects on memory of information provided after the event. Many studies were carried out that showed that memory for events can be changed or supplemented by later information. The experimental method was used, which has the advantage of the controlled environment of the laboratory, but which uses stimulus material that mimics real-life situations. For example in one experiment conducted by Elizabeth Loftus 150 participants were first shown a film depicting a shocking even, which in this case was a car accident. In the interval, between viewing the slides and being tested for recall, participants were spilt into two groups and asked ten questions about what they had seen. Group 1 were asked questions which were entirely consistent with the original film, in contrast to group 2 who were given the same questions except one which was changed to a question which conflicted with the original witnessed event. After one week, all of the participants were asked a further ten questions, and for the final question it was a conflicting question. Loftus found that only 2.7 per cent of the participants
Is eyewitness testimony reliable?
Psychology Key Issue - Is eyewitness testimony reliable? Eyewitness testimony refers to the statement given by a witness to an event/crime. It is important because in some cases, no forensic evidence can be traced. Also, jury members may lack the ability or confidence to interpret complex forensic evidence. Jury members tend to prefer and rely on eyewitness testimony. Therefore, eye witness testimony is vital source of evidence in a court of law. This is an issue has an inaccurate eyewitness testimony can lead to the conviction of an innocent man. Eyewitness testimony can be unreliable due to interference, social prejudice, false reconstruction of the memory, along with many other factors. Eyewitnesses might have lapses in their memory of the event, and they will try to fill in those 'empty spaces' with they believe/expect to happen. For example, during a bank robbery they might describe the thieves as wearing black clothing, balaclavas with guns. This might not be accurate as the witness might not have been paying attention to the clothing but might have felt obliged to give a detailed description when alter questioned by the police officer. The descriptions might have evolved from social prejudice, from watching scenes on the TV etc. As most crimes include some sort of violence, this can cause eyewitness unreliability. Clifford and Hollin (1981) concluded that violence
Is eyewitness testimony reliable?
Eyewitness Testimony as a source of reliable evidence In relation to cognitive psychology, is eyewitness testimony reliable in today’s judicial system? Word Count: 3944 ABSTRACT Is eyewitness testimony a reliable source of evidence in today’s judicial system? Many jurors tend to pay close attention to eyewitness testimony assuming that what they hear is exactly as it happened. They ignore the psychology behind remembering an event. Our brain is a complex structure and it is difficult to absorb every stimulus in our surrounding. We pay great attention to some aspects of a situation while completely ignoring others. It is advisable for expert psychologists to be present during a court case that involves eyewitness testimony, as they are more aware of its flaws. We store information in schemas and when we gain new knowledge it is altered in order to fit these schemas. Leading psychologists such as Elizabeth Loftus, Neil Bartlett and Yullie & Cutshall have carried out research in order to demonstrate how our memory can be altered by psychological factors such as leading questions, reconstructive memory and weapon focus. This research paper contains a vast number of experiments and studies done in order to illustrate the unreliability of our memory and whether courts should rely on eyewitness testimony as a prime source. Age and gender also serve as factors that influence
To what extent do extracts 1-4 in source E present a full and accurate eye-witness account of the assassination?
To what extent do extracts 1-4 in source E present a full and accurate eye-witness account of the assassination? (Use source F to help you answer this) To find out which witnesses are reliable and which are not I am now going to go over all evidence shown in both sources, E and F. to do this I will need to go over each witness separately taking all aspects into account. Jean Hill- in 1983 Jean Hill said she was used to guns and recognised that there was four to six shots fired from different guns, and she was sure they weren't echoes. When interviewed a half hour after the assassination she said she saw nothing, but in 1986 she told Jim Marrs that she saw a man fire from behind the wooden fence. There is doubt cast weather Jean Hill is reliable or not. Although she is a well educated school teacher who claims to know guns and was near the presidents' car, her story is too inconsistent, though people believe this is possibly because of stress and memory loss at the time. Using the evidence in sources E and F I don't believe this provides a full and accurate account of the assassination. Gordon Arnold - he claimed in 1983 that came from behind him while he was on the grassy knoll. He first told this story in 1978, but on both occasions he stated that he was standing on the Knoll and then claims he was lying down, photographic enhancements show no such person. There is
