A great deal of controversy has surrounded the phenomenon of "false memory syndrome" and the implications that it has had in our society, particularly in the legal realm. One of the most influential psychologists in the area of memory and eye witness testimony is Dr. Elizabeth Loftus, who has spent three decades as a research psychologist and memory expert in legal cases. To learn more about the controversy surrounding "false memory syndrome," visit the online LA Weekly website at

http://www.laweekly.com/2004-08-19/news/memory-and-manipulation/ to read the article, "Memory and Manipulation."

Based on the points that the Loftus article brings up and our textbook readings this week, what kind of implications do particular limitations of human memory have on the use of eye-witness testimony in criminal and civil court cases?