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Loftus and Palmer 1974 Leading Questions (Research method (Exp 2) (Lab…
Loftus and Palmer 1974 Leading Questions
Background
Memory involves interpreting what is seen or heard, recording bits of it then reconstructing these bits into memories when required
This infers recall can be distorted or biased by certain features of the situation such as wording of questions
This study focuses on the effects of leading questions
AIM - to investigate how information supplied after an event (e.g. leading questions) can influence a witness' memory for that event
Research method (Exp 1)
Lab experiment
Independent measures design
IV - wording of critical question in questionnaire, "about how fast were the cars going when they
hit/smashed/collided/bumped/contacted
each other?"
DV - estimated speed given by participant
Sample (Exp1)
45 students divided into 5 groups
5 groups of 9 students
Research method (Exp 2)
Lab experiment
Independent measures
One group asked - "about how fast were they going when they smashed into each other?"
Second group asked - "about how fast were the cars going when they hit each other?"
Third group not asked about speed
Week later all participants completed another questionnaire with critical question
"did you see any broken glass?"
IV - wording of question in questionnaire
DV - Yes/No to broken glass
Sample (Exp 2)
150 students divided into 3 groups
3 groups of 50 students
Procedure (Exp 1)
All participants shown same 7 clips of different traffic accidents
after each clip participant was given a questionnaire where they had to describe the accident then answer a series of questions
There was one critical question "about how fast were the cars going when they smashed/collided/contacted/bumped/hit each other?"
Each group was given a different verb
Procedure (Exp 2)
All participants shown a one minute film which contained a four second car crash
They were given a questionnaire which asked them to describe the accident then answer some questions - the critical question was about speed
One group was aksed "about how fast were the cars going when they smashed into each other?"
Another group was asked "About how fast were the cars going when they hit each other?"
A third control group did not have a question about vehicle speed
One week later without seeing the film again the participants completed another questionnaire the critical question was "did you see any broken glass? Yes/No" (there was none)
Key findings (Exp 1)
Smashed 40.5
Collided 39.3
Bumped 38.1
Hit 34.0
Contacted 31.8
The film of the crash at 20mph was estimated to be 37.7
The crash at 30mph was estimated to be 36.2
Crashes at 40mph were estimated to be 39.7 and 36.1
Key findings (Exp 2)
Yes - 16 in smashed, 7 in hit and 6 in control
No - 34 in smashed, 43 in hit and 44 in control
Majority of participants correctly recalled not seeing any broken glass
Conclusions
The verb used in a question influences a participants response
People are not very good at judging vehicle speed
Misleading post event information can distort an individuals memory