Method :
Design
The experiment replicated consisted on using and independent measure design because it involves using more than two groups, were the participants have more than one verb . The independent variable was the verb used in “'About how fast were the cars going when they …………. into each other?” The five verbs used were smashed, collided , bumped, contacted , and hit . The dependent variable was the speed estimate from each student. The ethical guidelines were followed , avoiding harm , stress , and the unwillingness of the participation of the participants . At the end of the experiments the participants are given a debriefing about the experiment .
Participants:
The experiment consists of a class and 20 students from the American School of Tegucigalpa. The students were randomly chosen, the majority were from senior class, three of the freshmen class , and like five from the junior class . All of them are Hispanic and bilingual students mentioning that they know Spanish as their native language, and know English . The method used for the experiment was opportunity sampling because the students chosen were available and were old enough to sign the consent form right away.
Materials: One film that consisted from 5-30 seconds long , and a questionnaire (appendix i) that consisted of two questions which asked participants to give an account of the accident and answer an specific question. Consent forms (appendix ii) and debriefing letter (appendix iii).
Procedure:
1.Get the 20 participants from the American School .
2.Give the students consent forms for acceptance of conducting experiment.
3.The students are shown 1 clip of 5 to 30 seconds long.
4.The students are asked to write about what they have just seen .
5.The students are now asked 5 critical questions (4 for each ) having to do with the speed of the vehicle in the collision . And are asked 5 questions not having to do with the speed of the vehicle so the participant can be manipulated before answering the critical question.
Condition 1: 'About how fast were the cars going when they smashed into each other?'
Condition 2: 'About how fast were the cars going when they collided into each other?'
Condition 3: 'About how fast were the cars going when they bumped into each other?'
Condition 4: 'About how fast were the cars going when they hit each other?
Condition 5: 'About how fast were the cars going when they contacted each other?'
6.Pick up the results of the 5 conditions
7.End the experiment
8.Debriefing of experiment
Results:
Speed estimates for the verb used in the speed question
In the table we can see that the phrasing of the question brought about a change in the speed estimate . With contacted having a higher speed than bumped. The range between the highest and the lowest is 6.75 , the mean is 47.4 , the median is 45 , and the standard deviation is 2.37.
Discussion
The memory of the speed of how fast was the cars were traveling could have been distorted by the verbs used which had been used to characterize the intensity of the crash . The results could be due to participants understanding of the experiment , saying that the participants realize what has to be the answer. In this case the participant is not sure of what the experimenter wants and therefore adjusts his or her estimates to fit with the expectations of the questioner. Loftus and Palmer original experiment consisted of 45 students the replicated experiment consisted of only 20 students . The original experiment had smashed as the verb of higher involvement in distortion of memory . In the replicated the highest speed estimated verb used was contacted . One limitation of the study was that only one clip of the crash could be used , because of time limitations during class time of other students . Another limitation is that in the study students are used , and students may be foolish about the study or not even pay attention to it and answer randomly in a way that can affect our results . A limitation that affects the study is that eye witness reports are of personal experiences , are of people having been in the crime or event , in this case students are only watching a clip that takes about 30 seconds long and they don’t have any connection with it . In conclusion we can see that leading questions asked by experimenters affect the eyewitness testimony , in this case the verb used in the questions affected the speed estimate of the students participating .
References
-
Loftus and Palmer. Web. 14 Feb. 2011.
- "Cognitive: Loftus & Palmer (1974)." PsychBLOG.co.uk. Web. 14 Feb. 2011. <http://www.psychblog.co.uk/where-to-start/cognitive-loftus-palmer-1974>.
- "AS Psychology Holah.co.uk Loftus and Palmer." AS Psychology Holah.co.uk. Web. 14 Feb. 2011. <http://www.holah.karoo.net/loftus.htm>.
Appendix i
Condition 1: 'About how fast were the cars going when they smashed into each other?'
Condition 2: 'About how fast were the cars going when they collided into each other?'
Condition 3: 'About how fast were the cars going when they bumped into each other?'
Condition 4: 'About how fast were the cars going when they hit each other?
Condition 5: 'About how fast were the cars going when they contacted each other?'
Question 1: did you see any tree in the video?
Question 2: did you see any water in the video?
Question 3: did you see any houses in the video?
Question 4: did you see any rain in the video?
Question 5: did you see any white car in the video?
Apendix ii
Informed Consent Statement
Study Title: Loftus & Palmer
Experimenter(s): Miroslav Cuculiza,Diego melara , and Miguel Ham
Description of Experiment: Eyewitness speed estimates about a clip on a car crash
In order to participate in this research study, it is necessary that you give your informed consent. By signing this informed consent statement you are indicating that you understand the nature of the research study and your role in that research and that you agree to participate in the research. Please consider the following points before signing:
- I understand that I am participating in psychological research;
- I understand that my identity will not be linked with my data, and that all information I provide will remain confidential;
- I understand that I will be provided with an explanation of the research in which I participated.
- I understand that certain facts about the study might be withheld from me, and the researchers might not, initially, tell me the true or full purpose of the study. However, the complete facts and true purpose of the study will be revealed to me at the completion of the study session.
- I understand that participation in research is not required, is voluntary, and that, after any individual research project has begun, I may refuse to participate further without penalty.
By signing this form I am stating that I am 16 years of age or older, and that I understand the above information and consent to participate in this study being conducted at the American School of Tegucigalpa. If I am not 16 years of age or older I must have a parent signature in order to participate.
Name (printed) _____________________________________________________________________________
Signature: _______________________________________________________ Date ________________
Parent Name (printed) _________________________________________________________________
Parent Signature ___________________________________________________Date_________________
Appendix iii
Dear participants ,
The purpose of the experiment was to supply you with information after the clip you saw of the car crash , to get to influence your eye witness memory . Thank you for participating in the experiment and for conducting it in the right way, good luck in replicating this experiment in future psychology school experiments .
The results shown in the table show that contacted influences you more in the intensity of the crash than bumped .
