Reliability of cognitive processes - Reconstructive memory

Misinformation effect (Loftus and Palmer)

How does our memory work and what is the reconstructive memory process?

Our memory does not work like a tape-recorder but instead memory is a reconstructive process and that during this process it is possible that our memory becomes distorted.

One way our memory may be distorted (in reconstructive memory process)?

One way our memory may be distorted is the influence of fake information after the event happened, past studies have shown that fake information that was introduced after an event happened was recalled as real (the creation of fake/false memories). THIS IS KNOWN AS THE MISINFORMATION EFFECT

—> since misinformation effect is reconstructive so when we try to remember we rebuild our memories (meaning the false information introduced afterwards) may be built into the ‘memories’ (we are recalling)

Loftus and Palmer (AIMS)

To investigate the effect of leading questions on recall.

Loftus and Palmer (PROCEDURE)

• (45)The participants were asked watch several clips of car crashes ranging from 5-30 seconds long

• After watching they were given a questionnaire regarding how fast the car was going where the verb was changed (collided/bumped/smashed/contacted/hit)

Loftus and Palmer (RESULTS)

The results showed a clear difference between the mean estimated speeds of the car depending on the verb used (e.g. smashed = highest estimated speed (40) and contacted = lowest (32)

Loftus and Palmer (CONCLUSION)

The experiment shows the effect of leading questions on the recall (memory recall) since changing the verb to smashed showed higher estimated speeds by the participants.

—> Thus, proving that memory is subjective and is not a tape recorder but is reconstructed as it can be twisted and impacted by misleading questions