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.

Construction of Episodic Memories

• 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.

The Misinformation Effect

• 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.

Elizabeth Loftus and False Memories

• 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.

Fragility of Eyewitness Testimony

• 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.

Memory Wars of the 1990s

• 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.

Source Confusion

• 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 and Memory Confusion

• 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.

Reducing Errors in Eyewitness Testimony

• 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.

Application of Memory Research

• 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.

Conclusion

• 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.