Discuss Memories are like impressions on wax tablets.

-

Discuss Memories are like impressions on wax tablets.



Errors can creep in to witness memory from the moment after the crime occurs. Witnesses talk to each other, and that talking does affect memory for the event. We have to remember that memory is not a wax tablet, as Socrates argued. Memory is malleable, and changes over time, particularly when we learn new information about an event in our past. We have to remember that memories not only change, but:

- Are influenced by our beliefs and expectations

- Are influenced by police expectations

- Are influenced by leading questions

- Can be created through hypnosis

Robert Baltovich learned that all too well when he was convicted based on the "hypnotically enhanced" testimony of a witness.

Definition:

Cognitive interview: An interview technique based in cognitive psychology, focusing on context reinstatement to enhance recall of events

Simultaneous lineup: A lineup type that presents photos together in one array

Sequential lineup: A lineup type where photos are presented individually

So how do we protect eyewitness memory? We can use what's called the cognitive interview, which uses tactics learned from cognitive psychology to enhance correct recall but reduce or at least hold constant any errors. In a number of different studies, and a number of different fields, the cognitive interview has been demonstrated to be effective at enhancing correct recall.

But how do we study eyewitness memory in a lab setting?

Below is a typical video in an eyewitness experiment. Click on it and see what happens. When participants in the lab arrive:
They are not aware they are going to see a video
They don't know it will be a crime - as in real life
They have a chance to identify the criminal
Police typically use simultaneous lineups

Did you find it easy to pick him out? There are some problems with Simultaneous lineups. These lineups are:
Like a multiple choice test -- you just have to choose one of the six
People make relative judgments -- which one looks most like you remember
The "Best" choice is not necessarily "correct" choice
Concern over investigator effects -- bad instructions, or a biased lineup can lead to choosing an innocent person

It is better to use a sequential procedure. Some key features specific to sequential lineups include a double blind procedure. The investigator should not know who the suspect is - this reduces the likelihood they might inadvertently give "hints". The pictures must be shown 1 at a time, with the witness saying "yes" or "no" after each picture. This avoids comparative judgment across the pictures. . If the investigator who does the lineup does not know who the suspect is, there is no way for bias to creep in. Many years of research have demonstrated that using a sequential lineup rather than a simultaneous lineup reduces error rates by 50%.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Discuss the seven characteristics of useful information.

-
Discuss the seven characteristics of useful information. Answer: The seven characteristics of useful information are: relevant, reliable, complete, timely, understandable, verifiable and accessible. These characteristics are qualities that information should possess to be useful in a business environment. Briefly stated, in order for information to be useful it must be: 1) relevant, meaning that it reduces uncertainty and adds to the decision-making process; 2) reliable information is information that is free from error, and is accurate in its nature; 3) complete information is information that does not omit any important data, facts, or aspects about events or activities; 4) information is timely when it is fully available to enable the decision-making process to proceed; 5) understandable information must be both in an intelligible and useful format; 6) information is considered verifiable if two people, acting independently of each other, produce the same inform
Read more

Why have accounting software packages been designed with separate transaction modules?

-
Why have accounting software packages been designed with separate transaction modules? Answer: : Since every organization does not necessarily use all of the transaction cycles in its operations, it is to the advantage of the organization to be able to "pick and choose" from among various software modules that track and record different transaction cycles. For example, a law firm would have no need to implement a production cycle module. Also, the nature of a transaction cycle varies across the broad spectrum of business organizations. Again, a law firm would have a revenue cycle, but it would not involve the purchase, receipt, and payment for products or merchandise; likewise a retail store chain may not sell any consulting services to its customers.
Read more

A laboratory assistant prepared solution of 0.8 M, 0.6 M, 0.4 M, and 0.2 M sucrose, but forgot to label them. After realizing the error, the assistant randomly labeled the flasks containing these four unknown solutions as flask A, flask B, flask C, and flask D.

-
A laboratory assistant prepared solution of 0.8 M, 0.6 M, 0.4 M, and 0.2 M sucrose, but forgot to label them. After realizing the error, the assistant randomly labeled the flasks containing these four unknown solutions as flask A, flask B, flask C, and flask D. Design an experiment, based on the principles of diffusion and osmosis, that the assistant could use to determine which of the flasks contains each of the four unknown solutions. Include in your answer (a) a description of how you would set up and perform the experiment: (b) the results you would expect from your experiments: and (c) an explanation of those results based on the principles involved. (Be sure to clearly state the principles addressed in your discussion.)
Read more