PSYC 3320 Lecture 8

Course Overview

• Final recap of the course on eyewitness psychology.

• Recommended viewing: Episode of "Due Process" (26 minutes).

• Highlights:

  • Mistaken identifications and wrongful convictions.

  • Expert insights, including psychologist Steve Penrod.

Research in Eyewitness Psychology

• Various methodologies to research eyewitness memory and testimony.

• Importance of understanding the difficulties in conducting research:

  • Skepticism in interpreting study results: "Should I take this with a grain of salt?"

Factors Affecting Memory

• Memory is valuable but affected by numerous variables:

  • Estimator Variables:

    • Variables beyond researchers’ control (e.g., the crime event itself).

  • System Variables:

    • Variables that can be manipulated or improved (e.g., interview techniques post-event).

• Significance of studying both types of variables to enhance eyewitness accuracy.

Laboratory vs Field Studies

• Predominant reliance on lab studies for findings in eyewitness memory research.

• Field studies—an ideal but complex method:

  • Real-life stress, emotions, and accurate witness response.

  • Challenges:

    • Difficulty in verifying the truth of a witness’s account.

    • Complexities in collecting reliable data in field settings.

    • Confounding variables inherent in real-world scenarios.

Integrating Findings

• Similar findings from lab and field studies suggest validity of research.

• Importance of expert testimony in court to aid jurors.

• The need for a holistic understanding of eyewitness testimony:

  • All variables interact simultaneously, from crime to verdict.

Applications of Knowledge

• Practical applications include improving policing for accurate eyewitness accounts.

• Enhancing researchers’ methodologies to minimize biases.

• Personal applications: Recognizing and accommodating the limitations of memory.

• Recommendations for better witnessing:

  • Immediate recording of details post-event.

Jury Understanding of Eyewitness Testimony

• Courts evaluate eyewitness reliability using a two-prong test:

  • First Prong:

    • Assess if the identification procedure was suggestive or biased (e.g., instructions, lineup fairness).

  • Second Prong:

    • Determine if the testimony remains reliable despite potential biases in the procedure.

Factors for Evaluating Eyewitness Reliability

• Key factors considered by the courts as per guidelines:

  1. Opportunity to view clearly.

  2. Attention paid to the perpetrator during the event.

  3. Early description accuracy.

  4. Time available for identification.

  5. Confidence level during identification.

• Importance of these factors in the courtroom, even with inherent limitations.

The Role of Confidence in Eyewitness Accuracy

• Confidence correlates but does not ensure accuracy:

  • High confidence can unduly sway jurors.

  • Pressure and biases can distort true reliability of memories.

  • Timing of confidence assessment (immediacy vs. stand testimony) matters.

Suggestions for Improvements in Eyewitness Testimony Reliability

• Continued initiatives like the Innocence Project to exonerate wrongly convicted individuals.

• Ongoing research to improve understanding and methodologies in eyewitness studies.

• Raising public awareness of memory reliability issues through media.

Course Conclusion

• Successful navigation through a challenging semester.

• Application of learned concepts in future careers and personal life.

• Recognition of the complexity of eyewitness memory and the personal growth achieved.

• Teacher expresses gratitude for student engagement and perseverance.