Evaluate loftus and palmers research (10)

• Para 1 - high internal validity

  P: Loftus and Palmer’s study benefits from strong internal validity due to its controlled experimental method.

  E: by manipulating the verb in the leading question (e.g. “smashed” vs “hit”), they isolated its causal effect on speed estimates.

  E: the use of a lab setting allowed them to control extraneous variables and confidently conclude that misleading information influenced memory recall. However, this control may reduce generalisability to real-life eye witness testimony.

  L: the ability to demonstrate cause and effect is a key strength, making their findings a valid demonstration of how language can distort memory.
• para 2 - low ecological validity

  P: a major limitation is the study’s lack of ecological validity.

  E: watching car crash clips in a lab does not replicate the emotional and cognitive stress of witnessing a real accident.

  E: Foster et Al (1994) found that when participants believe their testimony would influence a real trial, accuracy improved. Similarly, Yuille and Cutshall (1986) found real witnesses gave accurate accounts even after misleading questions. L: This suggests that Loftus and Palmer’s findings may underestimate the accuracy of eyewitness memory in real-life situations
• Para 3 - biased sample

  P: The use of US college students is a methodological limitation.

  E: Young students may not represent the wider population in terms of memory reliability and susceptibility to misleading information.

  E: Schacter et al. (1991) found older adults are more prone to source monitoring errors, suggesting age could influence susceptibility. Thus, results from a student sample may not apply to older or more diverse populations.

  L: This reduces the external validity and generalisability of their conclusions about eyewitness memory.
• Para 4 - ethical + scientific value

  P: While the study involved some deception, ethical concerns were minimal and arguably justified.

  E: Participants weren’t told the study aimed to examine the effect of leading questions.

  E: Although this prevented fully informed consent, the deception was mild and caused no harm. Moreover, the study led to important insights into the unreliability of eyewitness testimony, influencing legal systems.

  L: Overall, the ethical trade-off is acceptable given the minimal risk and significant real-world impact of the findings
• conclusion

  in conclusion, loftus and Palmer’s study is a methodologically rigorous piece of research with high internal validity, but it’s ecological and population validity are limited. Despite minor ethical concerns, the study has had significant implications for the legal system and remains influential in understanding the fallibility of eyewitness memory.