Eyewitness Memory and Leading Questions: A Summary of Sternelle and Loftus & Palmer

Inaccuracies in Eyewitness Testimony: Sternelle's Observations (Page 1)

Specific Examples of Inaccuracy: Several subjects described specific details about a person's appearance that were factually incorrect.
- One male and one female subject described 'T' as wearing spectacles, even though he does not, and never has. The female subject was notably confident, willing to swear to their existence.
- Another subject mentioned a non-existent cap.
- Another reported a brown overcoat.
Conclusion on Appearance Memory: These examples demonstrate the remarkable inaccuracy and uncritical nature of memory regarding a person's appearance.
Confabulation: Errors in testimony can cumulate into complete confabulation, where false memories are created and integrated.
- Subject K's description in Table 9-1 serves as one example.
- Subject X's description: