The Reliability of Eyewitnesses 英三 1 7 th Mar. 2014

Summary Over the past fifty years, scientific research has revealed that eyewitness testimony is often an incorrect account of what actually took place.

Summary Human memory is a complex process, vulnerable to distortion at every stage. The gathering of information into memory involves a three-step process, and errors are possible at each step.

Summary During the first step, an event is perceived, and “bits” of information are stored in memory. In the second step, the brain sorts and retains the memories for later retrieval. In the third and final step, it is possible for us to search our memory “files” and locate information.

Summary The type of event observed is significant in determining the accuracy of details the eyewitness is able to recall. Important event factors include the length of the observation and the complexity of the event.

Summary Experiments have shown that fear, stress, and anxiety can disrupt the normal perception process and distort the memory. Under stress, people focus only on details they feel are most important.

Summary Our expectations have an effect on perception. People tend to see and hear what they expect to see and hear. Memory can also become distorted while in storage.

Summary Since memories degrade over time and portions of an event can be forgotten, people creatively fill in the gaps created by long-term memory loss. This is because the human mind prefers a “complete” picture. An individual’s memory can also be altered during the storage step by intervening occurrences.

True or False ____ Complex events are easier to recall accurately than simple events. ____ Scientific research has revealed that eyewitness testimony is often an incorrect account of what actually took place. F T

True or False ____ The human mind consciously and unconsciously determines which details are stored in the memory, according to where the viewer’s attention is focused. ____ The gathering of information into memory involves a three-step process, and errors are possible at first step. T F

True or False ____ During the first step, an event is perceived, and “bits” of information are stored in memory. ____ In the second step, it is possible for us to search our memory “files” and locate information T F

True or False ____ Memoirs are appealing because true stories are more powerful than fictional stories. ____ The brain sorts and retains the memories for later retrieval in the third and final step. T F

True or False ____ Under stress, people focus only on details they feel are most important. ____ The type of event observed is unnecessary in determining the accuracy of details the eyewitness is able to recall. T F