Chapter 5 - Eyewitness Memory

PSYC 268 - DR. ADELE QUIGLEY MCBRIDE - SFU

Roles of Eyewitness Memory

They may the only form of evidence in some cases, and to make sure we rely on accurate information, understanding is key.

Cognitive Interview

Protocol for cooperative eyewitnesses that increases the amount of accurate information recalled. Relies on two principles.

• Multiple Retrieval Paths Principle.

• Feature Overlap Principle.

Multiple Retrieval Paths Principle

How different retrieval cues may lead to different details recalled.

Feature Overlap Principle

How recall is improved when encoding and retrieval contexts are similar. 

Threats to Accurate Recollection

• Self-Correction.

• The Misinformation Effect

Self-Correction

Memory updates as we gather new information.

The Misinformation Effect

When a witness is exposed to inaccurate information between encoding and retrieval, which can lead to it being incorporated into their recollection of the original event. Anything the witness does not see for themselves is considered inaccurate.

• Misinformation Acceptance.

• Source Misattribution.

• Memory Impairment.

Misinformation Acceptance

Participants guess what they believe the experimenter wants to hear.

Source Misattribution

Witnesses may recall both pieces of information but cannot recall which is from the original event.

Memory Impairment

Original memory has been replaced or altered.

Reflector Variables 

Observable behaviours during ID procedure that reflect the accuracy of eye witness’ decision. 

Types of Identification/Recognition Procedures

• ShowUp Procedure.

• LineUp Procedure.

  • Simultaneous LineUp.

  • Sequential LineUp.

ShowUp Procedure

Suspect only, usually under highly suggestive circumstances.

LineUp Procedure

Identify a suspect from a group of similar individuals called fillers or foils. The decisions eyewitnesses make can result in a response bias and discrimination accuracy.

Simultaneous LineUp

Relative judgement where similar individuals are shown all at once and the eyewitness chooses a member that best matches memory to others. 

Sequential LineUp

Absolute judgement where similar individuals are shown one at a time and the eyewitness chooses a member that best matches to memory exceeding a decision criteria.

Response Bias

Willingness to choose someone from the lineup.

Discrimination Accuracy

Ability to distinguish between the culprit, innocent suspects, and fillers.