Factors affecting the accuracy of eyewitness testimony

• What is the role of eyewitnesses in court?

  To provide evidence that can 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 fastest speed guessed in Loftus's study?

  40.5 miles per hour
• What happened when participants were asked about broken glass?

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

  71% included items not seen in their video
• What is the effect of anxiety on eyewitness testimony?

  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 suggest about anxiety and recall?

  Moderate anxiety improves recall, high anxiety decreases it
• What was the main finding of Johnson and Scott's study?

  Participants identified the man with the pen better
• What did Peters's study find about recall accuracy?

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

  Recall was highly accurate despite high stress
• What is the cognitive interview?

  A technique to improve eyewitness testimony accuracy
• What are the criticisms of lab-based eyewitness studies?

  They often lack validity and real-world consequences
• What ethical concerns exist in eyewitness testimony research?

  Participants may experience trauma and lack consent