Background + Aim of the Study

What did L&P want to look at within their study?

They wanted to look at the influence that asking leading questions could have someone’s memory

What was the expectation on using leading questions in L&P’s study?

They expected that the original memory would be distorted after any information was subtly introduced after the event

What was the background of the study(what theory did it explore)?

Schema theory - proposes that memory is influenced by what an individual already knows, and that their use of past experience to deal with a new experience is a fundamental feature of the way the human mind works

Background: How can memory be distorted?

Memory involves interpreting what is seen or heard, recording bits of it and then reconstructing these bits into memories when required. So, memory can be distorted or biased by certain features of the situation.

Background: Why does research suggest that Eye Witness Testimony (EWT) is unreliable?

Because it has shown that we are more likely to remember details of an event that are consistent with our preconceived schemas. So, EWT is highly unreliable because it can be influenced by such things as subtle differences in the wording of questions.

Aim: What were L&P aiming to investigate in Experiment 1?

To investigate how information provided to a witness after an event will influence their memory of that event.

Aim: What were L&P aiming to investigate in Experiment 2?

To investigate whether leading questions will result in a false memory