Evaluating Research on Repressed Memory and Eyewitness Testimony Introduction

Elizabeth Loftus is one of the world's experts on memories, especially on eyewitness testimony and on the controversial nature of recovered memories. Her research has shown most compellingly how reconstructive memory is, and how potentially fallible. For this assignment, you will either watch a video or read an article. The video is an opportunity to hear first-hand about Loftus's research in the field. In the article, Hock reviews several important studies in memory research that show how unreliable our memories can be. Choose either option, according to your preference.

Read over the assignment questions, and keep them in front of you to respond to as you watch the video of Elizabeth Loftus's talk on memory. Also, refer to Chapter 10 as you complete the following activities.

Instructions

Option A: Watch the video What's the Matter with Memory? available at

http://fora.tv/2009/07/14/Elizabeth_Loftus_Whats_the_Matter_with_Memory.

Option B: Read the article Thanks for the memories! in Hock (2013).

After, compose written responses to the following questions:

Questions

a. Describe two pieces of evidence Loftus reports that show how memories can be manipulated.

b. How do you think the legal system could change to make sure that someone else is not wrongfully convicted based on eyewitness memories?

c. We often hear people in the news talking about the recovery of repressed memories. What does Loftus's research suggest about the reliability of repressed memory?

d. Based on what you learned in Loftus's talk, conduct your own small research study:

1. Describe everything you can remember about an event in the past (at least five years ago) that was attended by one other person with whom you are in contact.

2. Then, ask the other person to remember everything that s/he can about the same event.

3. What similarities and discrepancies exist in the two accounts, and how do you explain them?

4. Discuss these differences with the other person and see if either of you changes your mind; if so, why or why not?