C6: Eyewitness Testimony and Memory Construction
Memory Construction
Construction: the formulation of new memories.
Reconstruction: the process of bringing up old memories.
It becomes flexible and can be altered.
Can lead to inaccuracies and distortions, often without us intending to distort the facts.
Problem of Suggestibility
Suggestibility: the effects of misinformation from external sources that lead to the creation of false memories.
Our memory is so fragile that we can be easily and often accidentally misled.
Memory is not a video recording
It is reconstructive
Can be distorted or influenced
Eyewitness Misidentification
Identifying the wrong person as the perpetrator.
Confidence =/= accuracy.
Why Misidentification Happens
Stress / Fear during event
Real-Life Impact
Leads to wrongful convictions.
Many cases later proven by DNA evidence.
Misinformation Effect
Memory is altered by new information after the event.
New information changes old memory.
How Misinformation Happens
Leading suggestions