PSYCH 3CC3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 17: Facial Hair, Dissociative Identity Disorder, Human Hair Color
Studies on memory indicates the system does not have to be completely accurate to serve its adaptive function in our lives. Yes, there are distortions for memories that have actually happened. Hyman, husband & billings, 1995: causing trouble at a wedding. Porter, yuille & lehman, 1999: attacked by a vicious animal. Heaps & nash, 2001: saved from drowning by a lifeguard. Mazzoni & memon, 2003: having a skin sample taken as a child. All these studies were able to show that it is easy to get children to form memories of things that have never happened* Wise et al (2009): attorney knowledge of eyewitness testimony (procedure) Presented statements to attorneys, some prosecutor attorneys and some defense attorneys: asked them whether the statements were true or false. 75 prosecutors, ~1200 defense attorneys completed 13-question survey. Witness"s ability to recall minor crime details is good indicator of accuracy of perpetrator.