Eyewitness Testimony and Misleading Information

Introduction

• Eyewitness testimony is a first-hand account of an event, often related to a crime.
• Accuracy can be influenced by misleading information.
• Two main aspects of misleading information:
  • Leading questions
  • Post-event discussion

Leading Questions

• Definition: Questions that prompt or encourage a specific response.
• Key Research: Elizabeth Loftus and John Palmer (1974)
  • Study 1: 45 American students watched films of traffic accidents.
    • Critical question: "How fast were the cars going when they ___ into each other?"
    • Different verbs used (e.g., "smashed," "contacted") altered speed estimates.
  • Study 2: 150 students watched a film with a car accident.
    • Participants were asked about speed with different verbs ("smashed," "bumped") or not asked.
    • One week later, asked if they saw any broken glass (none was present).
    • More likely to report seeing glass if "smashed" was used.
• Implication: Language can significantly affect memory recall.__

Post-Event Discussion

• Definition: Discussion among witnesses after an event.
• Key Research: Fiona Gabbert et al. (2003)
  • Participants watched a film of a girl entering an office, two different angles.
  • Co-witness condition led to 71% reporting information from other witnesses.
  • 60% in co-witness condition incorrectly reported the girl committing a crime.
• Implication: Discussion can distort individual memories.

Practical Applications

• Cognitive Interview: Developed to improve accuracy of eyewitnesses.
  • Avoids leading questions.
  • Encourages open-ended questions.
  • Proven to provide more accurate information (Kohnken et al., 1999).

Strengths and Limitations of Research

• Strengths:
  • Controlled settings allow cause and effect to be established.
  • Research can be replicated, enhancing reliability.
• Limitations:
  • Artificial settings reduce realism and ecological validity.
  • Studies use video recordings, lacking real-life crime context.
  • Samples may not represent the general population (e.g., university students, inexperienced drivers).

Conclusion

• Misleading information can significantly affect eyewitness testimony.
• Further exploration needed into other factors, such as anxiety and weapon focus.
• Importance of awareness in legal contexts, highlighted by initiatives like the Innocence Project.

Next Steps

• Future discussion will include the role of anxiety on eyewitness accuracy.
• Video on anxiety and weapon focus recommended for further learning.