How accurate is eyewitness testimony? What are some variables that influence the eyewitness testimony?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

According to multiple researchers, eyewitness testimony is fairly inaccurate and can be altered by types of questioning that provide additional information. Generally, the issue relates to memory reconstruction. This was demonstrated in Bartlett’s ‘War of the Ghosts’ study and more recently by Loftus’s work. Generally, according to Loftus, trial witnesses recall what they think they saw or heard as well as filling in information consistent with aspects they actually remember. Generally, the memory changes to conform with the information received from other people. Variables that influence eyewitness testimony are:
How a question is worded will have a major impact and reduce accuracy.
The number of times the misinformation was repeated will have an impact but not the number of sources of information.
The person’s confidence in the accuracy of the memory will have an impact and reduce accuracy.
Strong emotions created by an unpleasant experience will have an impact and reduce accuracy.
Postevent warnings can reduce or eliminate the effects of misinformation.