In deciding the fate of someone accused of a crime, the most important testimony often comes from people who saw the crime - or a fragment of it - happen. Eyewitnesses often add a devastating credibility and clarity to a very confused moment in time. But today we realize that eyewitness reports can be tainted by subjectivity. This program explores the groundbreaking research of psychologist Elizabeth Loftus, as she takes us through her discoveries on eyewitness evidence, focusing particularly on her seminal study with John Palmer, 'Reconstruction of Automobile Destruction'. The program explores the context of the study, the experiments, criticism, evaluation and implications.
In deciding the fate of someone accused of a crime, the most important testimony often comes from people who saw the crime - or a fragment of it - happen. Eyewitnesses often add a devastating credibility and clarity to a very confused moment in time. But today we realize that eyewitness reports can be tainted by subjectivity. This program explores the groundbreaking research of psychologist Elizabeth Loftus, as she takes us through her discoveries on eyewitness evidence, focusing particularly on her seminal study with John Palmer, 'Reconstruction of Automobile Destruction'. The program explores the context of the study, the experiments, criticism, evaluation and implications.
General Note
Streaming video file encoded with permission for digital streaming by Infobase on July 17, 2015.
Content Note
Elizabeth Loftus: Eyewitness Testimony --(17:51) -- Eyewitness Testimony: Context -- (2:16) -- Eyewitness Testimony: The Experiments -- (4:14) -- New Information Influences Memories -- (1:44) -- Constructing Perceptions and Memories -- (0:52) -- Evaluating Loftus and Palmer Study -- (3:02) -- Eyewitness Research: Implications and Applications -- (2:08) -- Loftus's Influence on Legal System -- (2:23) -- Credits: Elizabeth Loftus: Eyewitness Testimony -- (0:31).
