Elizabeth Loftus started studying this memory process in 1970. In one study, she showed some people a simulation of a car accident. After watching the simulation, one half was asked how fast they thought the cars were going when they “hit” each other and the other half was asked how fast they thought the cars were going when they “smashed” into each other. The half that was asked about the speed using the word “smashed” said the cars were going faster than their actual speed. Furthermore, in the experiment they were priming the subjects, training their memory using the…
1. Most current studies aimed at understanding human memory are conducted within a framework known as information-processing theory. This approach makes use of modern computer science and related fields to provide models that help psychologists understand the processes involved in memory. The general principles of the information processing approach to memory include the notion that memory involves three distinct processes. The first process, encoding, is the process of transforming information into a form that can be stored in memory. The second process, storage, is the process of keeping or maintaining information in memory. The final process, retrieval, is the process of bringing to mind information…
EXPLICIT MEMORY: Memory of facts and experiences that one can consciously know and “declare.” (Also called declarative memory.)…
The Deese/Roediger-McDermott paradigm was used to study false recall and recognition in three groups: recovered memory, repressed memory and a control, where no abductions were claimed. Four hypotheses were tested. 1) The recovered memory group should show higher false recall and recognition than the repressed memory and control group. 2) Recovered memory and repressed memory groups should score higher on false recall and recognition than the control group. 3) Recovered memory group should score highest, followed by repressed…
Loftus and Burns (1982) supports the findings of Loftus (1979). Participants were allocated to one of two conditions. One set of participants watched a violent short film where a boy was shot in the head whereas the other set of participants watched a non-violent short film of a crime. Similarly In this experiment they found that Participants were less accurate in recall when they saw the violent short film than those who watched the non-violent movie.…
The first experiment consisted of 7 films of tragic accidents which were presented to each group in no specific order, the films ranged from 5 to 30 seconds. After each of the films the participants were asked to describe the accident as if they were witness’. The participants were then asked specific questions this included the question ‘About how fast were the cars going when they (smashed/ collided/ bumped/ hit/ contacted) each other?’ Loftus and Palmer had found out that the estimated speed was affected by the verb used for example the participants who were asked what speed the cars were going when they smashed thought that the car was going faster than participants who were asked the speed of the car when the cars hit. The question that was used had already systematically affected the participant’s recollection of the accident. In conclusion the results of the experiment had shown that the verb had altered the…
In addition, much of the research presented by Elizabeth Loftus featured the untrustworthiness of memory. That memory was susceptible to suggestion of ideas and the twisting of facts. Furthermore, it paved way to encouraging a more accurate view on the consistency of an observer or eyewitness. Everyone should be encouraged to read this chapter about the illusion of memory thoroughly as one would have the possibility of being involved with…
The sudden recovery of repressed memories from a traumatic event such as childhood sexual abuse can be both validating and confusing for clients that are seeking help with various problems. These new memories might be able to help client identify the cause of their feelings and issues that are affecting their life. However for others it can be a very difficult time because of the conflicting emotions about the abuser. Worst of all when dealing with the recovery of repressed memories they may be all together false. The accuracy of recovered memories in regards to sexual abuse is low and can come with significant consequences. These false memories can be very harmful to the client as well as anyone falsely accused of sexual abuse.…
McCloskey, M., & Zaragoza, M. (1985). Misleading Post Event Information and Memory for Events: Arguments and Evidence against Memory Impairment Hypotheses. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General,…
Conclusions: This research suggests that memory is easily distorted by questioning technique and information acquired after the event can merge with original memory causing inaccurate recall or reconstructive memory.…
The purpose of this article is to examine the causes of false memory and memory distortion. Memory is influenced, in combination, by encoding, consolidation, and retrieval. This article expands upon each factor, in turn, and how it specifically affects memory.…
Tversky & Tuchin (1989) introduced still another modification to their experimental procedure. Using a "Yes/No" recognition test instead of a forced choice one they found evidence that misleading postevent information does interfere with original event memory. It was concluded that the differences between results from the standard versus modified testing procedures were because…
A main strength of cognitive psychology is that this approach has tended to use a scientific approach through the use of laboratory experiments. A strength of using laboratory experiments is that they are high in control therefore researchers are able to establish cause and effect. For example Loftus and Palmer were able to control the age of the participants, the use of video and the location of the experiment. All participants were asked the same questions (apart from changes in the critical words), and the position of the key question in the second was randomised. Furthermore, such standardised experiments are easy to test for reliability. However, as many cognitive studies are carried out in laboratory settings they can lack ecological validity. When cognitive processes such as memory and theory of mind are studied in artificial situations it may be difficult to generalise the findings to everyday life.…
As a judge this would be a very difficult situation to be the head of. Not to mention the subject of sexual abuse from a father to a daughter would make it an even more tense case. So before I go into my opinion on whether or not the woman should be allowed to give her testimony, let’s dig a little deeper into understanding recovered memories.…
What will happen if all human lost their memory? What if we can’t remember anything anymore? Can our society keep running? Can we live? The answer is simple. We can’t live without memory and the modern society will be destroyed. Here I’ll explain to you one by one.…