Eyewitness Testimony An Enduring Topic Of Psychological Enquiry
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Eyewitness Testimony: A Timeless Focus of Psychological Study
Introduction
The study of eyewitness testimony has been a key focus in psychology for over a century. This article explores its historical origins and dives into major areas of ongoing research.
Historical Context
In 1896, Albert Von Schrenk-Notzing testified in the trial of a man accused of murdering three women. He argued that pre-trial publicity had distorted the witnesses' memories, making it difficult for them to separate what they had seen from what was reported in the press.
Cognitive Processing in Eyewitness Testimony
The formal study of eyewitness testimony is anchored in cognitive processing, which involves how we perceive, think, and remember the world around us. These processes, though unseen, have significant implications in legal contexts, as our perceptions and judgments can often be flawed. Huff and Rattner highlight that the leading cause of wrongful convictions is eyewitness misidentification.
Stages of Eyewitness Memory
Stage 1: Witnessing the Incident
When witnessing an event, the information is entered into memory, but its accuracy is influenced by various factors. For instance, Clifford and Richards (1977) found that police officers recalled details more accurately after a 30-second interaction compared to 15 seconds.
Stage 2: The Waiting Period
The retention period between witnessing an event and recalling it greatly affects accuracy. Studies like Malpass and Devine (1981) show that after a short 3-day period, false identifications were absent, whereas after 5 months, 35% of identifications were inaccurate.
Stage 3: Giving Evidence
This stage involves accessing and retrieving information, typically through questioning. Research, notably by Elizabeth Loftus, reveals that even minor changes in question phrasing can significantly impact eyewitness testimony. In her studies, witnesses shown a film of a car accident estimated different speeds based on whether the cars "contacted" or "smashed" into each other.
Experimental Validity
Laboratories perform much of eyewitness research, leading to questions about applicability to real-life situations. Yuille and Cutshall's study on witnesses to a real shooting suggested differences from laboratory findings, emphasizing the challenge of generalizing research results.
The strength of lab research lies in its controlled environment. In real cases, factors such as witness discussions and media influence are unpredictable and uncontrollable.
For those interested in learning more, visit [All About Forensic Psychology](http://www.all-about-forensic-psychology.com).
Conclusion
Eyewitness testimony remains a critical area of psychological inquiry, with its findings carrying profound consequences for the criminal justice system. Understanding the nuances of how memories are formed, retained, and recalled continues to be of paramount importance.
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