Memory Distortion and Misinformation Effect

Memory Distortion

Memory is not a perfect recording:
- Memory can create distortions; it is not like a videotape that captures experiences exactly.
- Memories can have gaps and may be reconstructed inaccurately when recalled.

Episodic Memory Retrieval:
- Episodic memories are brought from long-term memory and reconstructed during recall.
- During recall, various details may be altered, contributing to memory inaccuracies.

Definition:
- The misinformation effect refers to how incorrect information presented after an event can distort a person's memory of that event.
- Common across all ages but more pronounced in children and older adults.
- Example: Police interrogations can introduce misleading information affecting witness recollection.

Research Background:
- Elizabeth Loftus is a lawyer and psychologist known for her work on false memories and the reliability of eyewitness testimony.
Misinformation in Experiments:
- Loftus conducted experiments where participants watched a video of a car crash and later received leading questions.
- Different wording in questions led to different speed estimates (e.g., "smashed" vs. "contacted").
- Those exposed to the word "smashed" remembered higher speeds and reported seeing broken glass when there was none.

Importance of Eyewitness Testimony:
- Eyewitness accounts are often viewed as crucial in legal contexts, yet they are highly susceptible to error.
- Loftus demonstrated that eyewitness memories can be easily distorted by suggestive questions.
Investigative Implications:
- Misleading questions can subtly alter memories, leading to erroneous perceptions of the original events.
- Training for law enforcement on question phrasing and procedures can mitigate memory contamination.

Context:
- In the 1990s, a surge in claims of recovered memories related to childhood abuse led to significant debate and controversy in psychology.
Responses to Claims:
- Therapists often inadvertently contaminated memories through improper questioning methods.
- Some perpetrators exploited the concept of false memories in their defense against accusations.
Safe Practices:
- Therapists are advised against using techniques like hypnosis for recalling memories of trauma due to potential for contamination.

Understanding Source Confusion:
- Source confusion arises when individuals cannot accurately recall the origin of a memory, leading to inaccuracies in recollection.
- The blending of memories from various sources can create false recollections or altered perceptions about events.

Deja Vu Experience:
- Deja vu is characterized by a feeling of familiarity with a situation that is, in fact, unfamiliar.
- May arise from source confusion where individuals misidentify the source of their familiarity.

Suggested Practices:
- Use sequential lineups rather than simultaneous to reduce comparative pressure.
- Ensure someone who does not know the suspect administers eyewitness lineups to avoid bias.
Legislative Reforms:
- Some states have initiated reforms for eyewitness identification procedures to improve the reliability of testimonies.

Insights into Human Behavior:
- Research on memory distortions helps understand interpersonal dynamics and the malleability of memories.
- Understanding memory can help in interpreting testimonies in legal systems more accurately.

Memory is complex and fraught with inaccuracies, influenced by external factors and internal reconstructive processes.
Awareness of these phenomena is critical for professionals in psychology and law enforcement to ensure justice and accuracy in testimonies.