Learn: Loftus and Palmer (1974)

Welcome!Today we'll explore Loftus and Palmer's 1974 study on eyewitness testimony. This study is part of the Memory theme in OCR A Level Psychology H567. Let's learn step by step!

What was Loftus and Palmer's study?Loftus and Palmer investigated how leading questions affect memory recall in eyewitnesses. They focused on whether the wording of a question could change a person's memory of an event, like a car crash.

Why does this study matter?Eyewitness testimony is often used in court cases, but it can be unreliable. Loftus and Palmer's research showed how memory can be distorted by external influences such as language.

Key MethodologyLoftus and Palmer used a laboratory experiment to test their hypothesis. Participants watched video clips of car accidents and were asked questions about the speed of the cars.

Independent and Dependent VariablesThe independent variable was the verb used in the question (e.g., 'smashed', 'hit', 'contacted'). The dependent variable was the estimated speed and whether participants reported seeing broken glass.

FindingsLoftus and Palmer found that the verb used in the question influenced participants' speed estimates. For example, 'smashed' led to higher speed estimates than 'contacted'. Additionally, participants who heard 'smashed' were more likely to wrongly recall seeing broken glass.

ImplicationsThis study highlights the importance of careful questioning in legal settings. Leading questions can distort memory and lead to inaccurate testimony.

Review Time!Great work! You've learned about Loftus and Palmer's study, including their methods, findings, and implications. Let's test your understanding with a few final questions.