Testing the Accuracy of Eyewitness Testimony when Recalling an Event
Joselin Yuqui
Co-Presenters: Individual Presentation
College: College of Liberal Arts
Major: Forensic Psychology (M.A.)
Faculty Research Mentor: Nelta Paul
Abstract:
This research project will examine the accuracy of college students' testimonies when recalling an event based on their visual perspective. The research question for this study is as follows: Can external distractions while watching an event affect the accuracy of an eyewitness testimony? Therefore, eighteen students will be randomly selected and divided into two groups. Both groups will watch a video about a car accident at an intersection. However, Group 1 will have music in the background while watching the video. Group 2 will not have music in the background while watching the video. After both groups watch the video, they will complete a short questionnaire regarding the video. In addition, both groups will complete a survey to measure their confidence level when recalling the event. It is hypothesized that the group that has the distraction of the background will not accurately recall the event compared to the group without the distraction.