Misleading information

• Loftus (1975) on the role of misleading information

  • Suggests memory is reconstructive so EWT can be unreliable because the memory of an event can be affected by the type of questioning
  • leading questions can unconsciously re-construct memories
• Leading questions

  1. Can reconstruct your memory without knowing

  2. New information suggested after an event can be encoded into an original memory, resulting in the memory being distorted
• Post event effect


  When post event information is encoded into an original memory, resulting in memory distortion and inaccurate recall
• Loftus & Palmer 1975: accuracy of memory and leading questions

  • lab experiment
  • 45 of Loftus students divided into 5 groups
  • shown 7 films of different traffic incidents
  • Given a questionnaire containing a critical question on the speed of the cars when hit each other
  • control group given 'hit', others given 'smashed', 'collided', 'bumped', or 'contacted'
  • more intense verbs caused higher estimated speeds
• Leading questions provide post-event information, which can be stored and affect the original memory forever, reducing the accuracy of eyewitness testimony
• Strengths of misleading information

  • Loftus follow up study showed that participants in a 'smashed' condition were 2x as likely to recall the false memory of broken glass
• Weaknesses of Misleading information

  • Loftus used her students as participants, which may lead to a rise in demand characteristics and artificial behaviour
  • Loftus study may not be representative of real life behaviour as individuals knew answers had no consequences