Memory Storage and Distortion

Overview of Memory Stages

• Previous Lecture: Discussed encoding stage of memory.
• Current Focus: Storage stage of memory and its vulnerabilities.

Key Points About Memory Storage

• Forgetfulness:
  • Research by Geoff Maycock and Julia Lester (Transport Research Laboratory, UK) shows:
    • Drivers forget about 30% of car crashes they were involved in each year.
    • Forgetting can extend to the entire event, not just details.

Misinformation and Memory Modification

• Interference with Stored Memories:
  • Memories can be modified by introducing misinformation.
  • Sources of Misinformation:
    • Media reports
    • Conversations with other eyewitnesses
  • Memory researchers highlight the vulnerability of memory to tampering.

Experimental Evidence of Misinformation Effect

• Typical Experiment Setup:
  • Participants watch a video of a crime.
  • They read a follow-up account that may contain false information.
  • Example: Describing a criminal's appearance inaccurately (shaven vs. moustache).
• 2013 Study by Harmut Blank and Colleagues (University of Portsmouth):
  • Participants discussed a crime with a plant who provided misinformation.
  • Despite warnings about misinformation, participants incorporated false details in their recall.

Stressful Situations and Misinformation

• Recent Study by Charles Morgan (Yale University):
  • Military personnel subjected to stress in a simulation misidentified their interrogator after exposure to misinformation.
  • Highlights the impact of stress on memory accuracy.

Research Questions in Memory Studies

• Investigations focus on:
  • Circumstances that increase susceptibility to misinformation.
  • Characteristics of individuals more likely to be affected.
  • The nature of original memories when misinformation replaces them.
• Important Note: Misinformation can still affect memory even when people are informed of its inaccuracy.

False Memories and Legal Implications

• Elizabeth Loftus' Research:
  • False memories can be implanted intentionally or unintentionally.
  • Example: Participants believe they witnessed events differently than they actually did (e.g., car details).
• Implications for Legal Testimonies:
  • Errors in memory can lead to significant consequences in the courtroom.
  • Memory evidence needs to be preserved and protected against contamination.

Memory Retrieval and Further Distortion

• Research by Elizabeth Loftus:
  • Experiment with car crash films asked participants about speed using different verbs (HIT vs. SMASHED).
  • Results showed those asked with "smashed" estimated higher speeds and falsely recalled glass at the scene (which wasn't present).

Conclusion on Eyewitness Memory

• Fragility of Memory:
  • Research indicates memory is more susceptible to distortion than expected.
  • Distortions can occur at multiple stages of the memory process.
• Next Steps:
  • Investigate techniques to improve eyewitness memory.