Transcript Loftus and Palmer 2011 (NM)

Loftus and Palmer (1974)
Loftus and Palmer (1974)
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Reconstruction of automobile
destruction: an example of the
interaction between language and
memory
Field of psychology: Cognitive
Type of study: Laboratory
experiment
Aim and Context
“I do solemnly,
sincerely and truly
declare and affirm
that the evidence I
shall give shall be
the truth, the whole
truth and nothing
but the truth”
Why is it important?
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The Innocence project
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An organisation which works to clear the
names of wrongly convicted people
They claim that eyewitness misidentification
is the greatest single cause of wrongful
convictions in the USA, convictions that
were later overturned by DNA evidence.
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The study by Loftus and Palmer
took place in 1974. Why is this
relevant to the context?
Carmichael (1932)
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You have a minute to remember the
pictures on the page
When the minute is up, you should
turn your page over, and wait for me
to tell you to reproduce the images.
Compare your drawing with your
partners. Are there any differences?
How do we explain these results?
Carmichael (1932)
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Carmichael’s experiment suggests
that memory is not always
accurate.
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Memory is reconstructed from the
different elements (the pictures and
the words)
Also, this experiment suggests that
language (the verbal labels) can
alter our recall.
Marshall (1969)
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Air Force personnel, observed a car
travelling at 12 mph.
Their estimates ranged from 10 to 50
mph.
Range in answers possibly due to leading
questions.
These results also show us that humans
are poor at estimating speed.
Filmore (1971)
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Suggested that the words smashed
and hit may imply different rates of
speed.
These words lead the listener to
assume different consequences to the
impacts to which they are referring,
with hit being perceived as gentler
than smashed.
Aims
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Loftus and Palmer’s experiment was
actually two experiments.
They wanted to investigate in general
how accurate or inaccurate memory
was. Specifically they wanted to see
questions upon
the effect of leading
______________
estimates of speed
______.
Aims
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Experiment 1
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See if the speed estimates would be
influenced by the wording of the question
asked.
Hit vs Smashed
Aims
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Experiment 2
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To see if the leading questions just
changed the responses given to the
questions, or whether the participant’s
memories had actually altered as a result
of the leading questions.
Procedures
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Loftus and Palmer carried out two
experiments. You need to know detailed
procedures for both of them, as well as
participant numbers.
Use the information on pg 107 and the
original text
Two groups
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Complete table.
When outlining the procedure, be as detailed
but as clear as you can.
Procedures
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Two groups
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Complete table.
When outlining the procedure, be as
detailed but as clear as you can.
Go back to your pairs, and share
procedures
In pairs, answer questions 1-4
Findings and conclusions
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Draw two graphs
Summarise the results
Write in the conclusions
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Answer the questions
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Work together
Evaluating the methodology
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In pairs
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Method
Reliability and sampling
Validity
Ethics
Speed learn
Critically assess with reference to alternative evidence
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Match up the study with the
description of what the results mean
Use three colours to highlight research
that supports, contradicts, or
develops Loftus and Palmer’s
research.