Loftus and Palmer (1974)
Cognitive Psychology
Assumes an individual's behaviour is controlled by our thought processes. Internal mental processes such as memory and thinking are important features influencing humnan behaviour
Computer Analogy - The mind is an information processes that imputs, stores and outputs information
Scientific research - research should be highly controlled, objective and reliable
Key Theme: Memory (ability to retain and store information). Two types - short term (5-9 items) and long term (limitless)
Schema theory - memory is influenced by what an individual already knows, and that their use of past experiences to deal wiha new experience is a feature of the mind
Links to theory of reconstructed memory
Aim: Investigate effect of leading questions on an individuals ability to accurately remember events. Expected: information subtely introduced after the event would distort original memory
Experiment 2 (Lab experiment)
Experiment 1 (Lab experiment)
Sample: 45 students, USA, independent measures
Procedure: 1 Shown 7 film clips (5-30 sec long) 2 Questionnaire, had to write an account then were asked specific questions with critical question
5 conditions (each contained 9pp). Verb changed: smashed, collided, bumped, hit, contacted
Findings Phrasing of question influenced speed estimation - smashed (40.5), collided (39.3), bumped (38.1), hit (34), contacted (31.8). Additionally, thought 20mph was 37.7mph, thought 30mph was 36.2mph and thought 40mph was 39.7 and 36.1mph
Sample: 150 students from USA, independent measures
IV: Verb used (smashed, hit, collided, contacted, bumped)
DV: speed estimation
IV: Verb used (hit or smashed), third group not asked
DV if the participant believed they saw glass at the scene
Procedure 1 Watched a short 1 minute film of 4 second multiple car accidents 2 Questionnaire and write account then answer some specific questions with critical question
3 conditions (50 pp in each), asked hit, asked smashed and no speed control
1 week later asked critical question - did you see broken glass?
Findings Reported broken glass: Smashed (16 yes, 34 no), Hit (7 yes,43 no) and control (6 yes, 44 no)
Leading question altered memory
Conclusions
Verb used in phrase influences pp response, people aren't good at judging speeds, misleading info can distort memory and reconstructive memory is a concept