Leading questions

• Loftus and Palmer (1974)

  1. got 45 ppts to watch a clip of a car crash
  2. They then had to answer the questions about the speed of the vehicle
  3. Then each group was asked how fast the cars were going
  4. Each group head a different verb
• Loftus and Palmer (1974)


  Verbs told to the groups:

  Fastest estimate

  • Smashed
  • Collided
  • Bumped
  • Hit
  • Contacted

  Slowest estimate
• Loftus and Palmer (1974) - Follow up 


  Asked 'Did you see any broken glass?'

  Smashed- Most yes

  Hit - Most no
• Evaluation- Limitation

  Sutherland and Hayne (2001)

  When ppts were asked misleading questions their recall was more accurate for centeral details that peripheral ones