Factors affecting eyewitness testimony

• What is the main focus of the Loftus and palmer 1974 study on eyewitness testimony?

  Impact of leading questions on recall
• How do leading questions affect eyewitness testimony?

  They simplify how participants decide to answer
• What did Loftus and Palmer (1974) investigate?

  • 45 participants watched accident clips
  • Asked leading questions about the clips
  • Examined the impact of verb choice on speed estimates
• What was the estimated speed when the verb "smashed" was used?

  40.8 mph
• What was the estimated speed when the verb "" was used?

  31.8 mph
• What is weapon focus in eyewitness testimony?

  • Focus on the weapon reduces recall accuracy
  • Participants may miss other details
  • Negative effect on overall memory recall
• Who conducted the study on weapon focus in 1976?

  Johnson and Scott
• What was the setup of Johnson and Scott's (1976) study?

  • Participants believed they were in a lab study
  • Heard an argument with breaking glass
  • Saw a man with a bloody knife
• What was the accuracy percentage for Group 1 in identifying the man?

  49% accuracy
• What was the accuracy percentage for Group 2 in identifying the man?

  33% accuracy
• What does the tunnel theory of memory suggest?

  • Better memory for central events
  • Focus on key details during stressful situations
  • Reduced recall for peripheral details
• Group 1 johnson and scott

  Overheard a calm conversation and then a man walked past with a pen and grease on his hands
• Group 2 johnson and scott

  Overheard an angry conversation, breaking glass and then a man walked past carrying a bloody knife
• Speed estimate

  Smashed 40.8

  Collided 39.3

  Bumped 38.1

  Hit 34.0

  Contacted 31.8