1
Aim
To investigate the effect of a leading question on memory of a witnessed event
2
Method
An experiment with independent measures design
3
Procedures
Participants were split into three groups and then shown a 1-minute film which contained a 4-second scene of a multiple car accident
Groups 1 and 2 were then given a questionnaire with the question: "how fast were the cats going when they ____ each other"
- depending on the group, the verb "smashed or hit" was used
Group 3 was not questioned after watching the clip; control group
One week later without seeing the clip again, all participants answered 10 questions that included one critical question: "Did you see any broken glass"
4
Results
The more intense the verb, the more likely the participant answered "yes" to the broken glass question
5
Conclusion
- Study supports the idea that memory can be easily distorted by questioning technique and post-event information causing inaccurate recall or reconstructive memory
- Supports anchor memory
- Different verbs served as anchors to participants, leading to varying reports of broken glass