Getting you thinking: Extension: Read the ‘Apply your knowledge’ section on p55. Discuss the task with your neighbour

Eye Witness Testimonies (EWT) Misleading Information Cognitive Psychology Memory

Learning objectives By the end of this lesson you will be able: To discuss effects of misleading information on the accuracy of EWT To effectively evaluate the relevant research

Memory in Everyday Life Eyewitness Testimony Juries place great reliance on eyewitness testimonies (EWT) However, research suggests the accuracy of recalled information is debatable as many people are falsely convicted every year EWT is the account given by witnesses about an incident/crime they have seen. It is more accurate to refer to eyewitness memory, rather than testimony when we discuss how accurate their recall is

Imagine you are a witness to the incident in the following clip What effect could the factors below have on EWT? Leading questions Post event discussion Anxiety

Misleading Information Eyewitness memory appears to be fragile and subject to distortion Misinformation can be accepted as true by eye-witnesses Research on the effect of misleading information looks at what happens when a witness is asked a question that suggests wrongly that something has taken place

Leading Questions ‘Leading questions’ refers to questions that are worded in such a way that they might bias how a respondent answers Research has shown that even subtle changes in the way a question is phrased can affect the accuracy of EWT

Post-event Discussion The original memory of an event might be distorted through discussion of the event with other people (conformity effect) It can also be distorted by repeated interviews. Comments and/or leading questions from the interviewer may influence and alter the individual’s memory for events (especially in the case of child witnesses – why?)

Consideration of Research We will work through the ‘Misleading Information’ handout (evaluation points included). Use your text book to help you, p56 – 57. Also, complete the questions about the influence of post-event discussion Ask if you have any problems!

Learning objectives Are you now able to do the following? Discuss effects of misleading information on the accuracy of EWT Effectively evaluate the relevant research

Homework Due next lesson: If you haven’t already done so, finish completing the ‘Misleading information’ handout. Use details from p57 to make notes about other evaluation and application points relating to this theory to put in your folder. Try out the ‘headache’ activity at the top of p57 with a few people you know. Remember to ask people on their own, not in a group. Why is this important?