Factors Affecting The Accuracy Of Eyewitness Testimony

• What is the role of eyewitnesses in court?

  To provide evidence that could lead to convictions
• What factors can affect the accuracy of eyewitness testimony?

  Misleading information, post-event discussion, and anxiety
• What did Bartlett argue about memories?

  Memories are reconstructive, not accurate snapshots
• What is a schema according to Bartlett?

  Packages of information used to understand the world
• How do schemas affect eyewitness testimony?

  Schemas can lead to errors in memory reconstruction
• What term did Bartlett use for false memories?

  Confabulations
• What is substitution bias in memory recall?

  The old memory is completely replaced by new information
• What is response bias in memory recall?

  Emotional pressure alters the response given
• What is post-event discussion?

  When witnesses discuss their memories with each other
• What is memory conformity?

  Witnesses alter their testimony to match others
• How did Loftus's study demonstrate the effect of leading questions?

  Changing verbs influenced speed estimates of cars
• What was the outcome of Loftus's follow-up questionnaire about broken glass?

  More participants reported seeing broken glass in the smash condition
• What did Gabbert's study reveal about eyewitness testimony?

  71% included items not seen due to discussion
• What is anxiety defined as in the context of eyewitness testimony?

  A mental state of arousal and caution
• How might anxiety affect eyewitness recall?

  Anxiety can either decrease or increase recall accuracy
• What is the weapon focus effect?

  Witnesses focus on the weapon, not the criminal's face
• What does the Yerkes-Dodson law of arousal suggest?

  Recall improves with moderate anxiety but decreases at high anxiety
• What was the main finding of Johnson and Scott's study?

  Participants identified the man with a pen better than with a knife
• What did Peters's study find regarding recall accuracy?

  Recall was worse for identifying a nurse than a researcher
• What did Uvul and Kutchal's research reveal about real-life eyewitness recall?

  Recall was highly accurate despite high stress
• What are the limitations of lab-based eyewitness studies?

  • Low validity due to lack of consequences
  • Demand characteristics may influence responses
  • Ethical concerns regarding participant harm
• What is the cognitive interview?

  A technique to improve eyewitness testimony accuracy
• What should participants be informed about in research studies?

  They should give informed consent
• Why is it important to address the accuracy of eyewitness testimony?

  Incorrect testimony can lead to wrongful convictions