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Eyewitness Testimony and Language

Study Objective

Loftus and Palmer investigated how language affects memory recall, specifically in eyewitness testimony, which is critical for legal settings.

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Core Focus

Investigated how language affects memory recall.
2

Justification

Inaccurate memories can lead to wrongful convictions.

Experimental Procedure

The study employed a controlled laboratory setting to manipulate the wording of a critical question regarding speed.

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Materials

Seven short films of traffic accidents, each a few seconds long.
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Manipulation

Questionnaire after each film with critical question about speed using varied verbs (hit, smashed, bumped, collided, contacted).

Key Research Concepts

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Malleability

Memory is subject to reconstruction and change.
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Leading Q's

Questions that bias or prompt specific recall.
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Sample

45 university students, randomly assigned.
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Design

Laboratory experiment with independent groups design.

The Legal Context

Why this matters

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The Critical Exchange

🧑‍🎓
Wait, so is high liquidity always good?
🦉
Not always! Too much cash means you aren't investing enough to grow.

The Core Finding

"Smashed" > Estimated Speed > "Contacted"
Estimates of speed were significantly influenced by the verb used. "Smashed" led to higher speed estimates (mean=40.8 mph) than "contacted" (mean=31.8 mph).

Reliability Warning

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Conclusion: Language shapes memory reconstruction, revealing the malleability of eyewitness memory. This raises concerns about legal interviews and reliability.

Study Design Analysis

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Strengths High control due to laboratory experiment. Easy replication due to standardized procedure.
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Limitations Viewing films is low in ecological validity; the consequences are not real (low arousal).

Speed Estimation Ledger

The quantitative results show the impact of the manipulated verb on the dependent variable (speed recall).

Verb Used Mean Estimate Difference
Smashed 40.8 mph
Collided 39.3 mph
Hit 34.0 mph
Contacted 31.8 mph

Follow-Up Findings

In a follow-up, participants who heard “smashed” were more likely to falsely report seeing broken glass.

Verb Saw Glass Did Not See Glass Total
Smashed 16 34 50
Hit 7 43 50
Control 6 44 50
Loftus & Palmer's Study Deck
Q
Main Focus

What was the main focus of Loftus and Palmer's study?

A
Answer

How language affects memory recall in eyewitness testimony.

Q
Experimental Design

What type of experimental design was used in the study?

A
Answer

Laboratory experiment with independent groups design.

Q
Participants

How many participants were in the study?

A
Answer

45 university students.

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Materials Used

What kind of materials did Loftus and Palmer use in their experiment?

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Answer

Seven short films showing traffic accidents and a questionnaire with varied verbs to describe the crash.

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Verb Effect

What effect did the verb "smashed" have on participants' speed estimates?

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Answer

It led to significantly higher speed estimates (mean=40.8 mph).

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Broken Glass Question

What was the outcome when participants were asked about broken glass?

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Answer

Those who heard "smashed" were more likely to falsely report seeing broken glass.

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Implications on Eyewitness Testimony

What does Loftus and Palmer’s study suggest about eyewitness testimony?

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Answer

Eyewitness memory is malleable and influenced by the language used in questioning.

Q
Legal Importance

Why is this study important for the legal system?

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Answer

It highlights that leading questions can bias recall and affect the reliability of eyewitness evidence.

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🧠 Loftus and Palmer Experiment Quiz

1. What was the main independent variable in Loftus and Palmer’s experiment?

The critical manipulation was the verb (e.g., smashed, hit) used in the question, which affected speed estimates.

2. True or False: Participants exposed to the word “contacted” estimated the highest speeds.

“Contacted” led to the lowest speed estimates, with “smashed” producing the highest.

3. What effect did the word “smashed” have on participants’ memory of the accident?

The stronger verb “smashed” not only altered speed estimates but also created false memories.

4. Why is Loftus and Palmer’s study significant for the legal system?

The study shows how subtle changes in language can bias memory recall, risking wrongful convictions.

📊 Results

  • Notes and Quiz
  • Psychology
  • A Level
  • Neuropsychology and Brain
  • OCR