Cognitive Contemporary Debate

• The Cognitive Contemporary Debate revolves around the reliability of eye witness testimony.
• Loftus and Palmer study showed participants in smashed condition gave higher speed estimates (40.8 mph) vs contacted (31.8 mph) providing evidence post event information isn't reliable from EWT.
• Researchers claimed eye witness memories are made up of two things , what they witness and post event info (afterwards) and overtime these combine to make one memory arguing they are unreliable
• Loftus + Zama asked ppts did you see the broken headlight or a broken headlight. 17% said yes vs 7%. Shows unreliability of EWT with leading questions
• Loftus Showed ppts images of a man stealing red purse. Participants were then exposed to misleading information that purse was brown. Ppts remembered that the purse was red despite mistaking minor details. Argues EWT post event information is reliable
• Yuille + Cutshall found eye witnesses to a real robbery of a gun store. Found 2 shots , owner returned 6 and killed thief. Eye witnesses were accurate 4 months after event despite 2 misleading questions. Argues EWT = reliable
• Weapon Focus

  Johnson and Scott Study- ppts in No weapon condition heard discussion about lab equipment being faulty and saw confederate wipe grease from hand

  Ppts in weapon condition heard an argument, glass and chairs crashing and confederate ran in carrying bloody letter opener

  59% identified confederate in no weapon condition vs 33% in weapon condition.

  Argues EWT = Not reliable
• Crimes = Emotive Experiences

  Freud argues traumatic or threatening memories are pushed into unconscious mind through repression, helping ego manage anxiety but means these painful memories are basically forgotten.

  Argues EWT = not reliable
• Crimes = Emotive Experiences

  Psychologists argue when we experience emotionally shocking events or those that personal significance, we create a very accurate, long lasting memory = Flash bulb memory.

  Argues EWT = Reliable