Eyewitness Memory

Post-seminar writing assignment

1. Posting your response (at least 10 sentences) to Factors impacting eyewitness memory

Length requirement: Your own post must be a minimum of 10 sentences written in your own words. Please do not copy and paste! Note that if you have some direct quotes, those do not count towards the 10 sentences.

Factors impacting eyewitness memory

In this seminar, we discussed multiple factors that can impact eyewitness memory. Pick one or two such factors and investigate in more detail how they impact eyewitness memory. The factor(s) can be something we discussed in the seminar or something that was not discussed but is known to affect eyewitness memory.

Find and refer to at least one reliable outside source and provide the source. Discuss your findings here in at least 10 sentences and cite your source(s) in APA format.

Examples you could investigate:

· How do characteristics such as age, gender, and ethnic group of the witness vs. the perpetrator affect eyewitness testimony? What about attractiveness, stress, the weapon effect, using show-ups, etc.?

· How do law enforcement procedures, such as interview styles, how the line-up is set up and using facial composites affect eyewitness testimony?

2. Memory distortions of eyewitnesses can lead to severe legal consequences. Explore the Innocence Project case file (link https://innocenceproject.org/all-cases/1/) and select a case that you find interesting. If possible, find a case in which eyewitness memory played some part. Briefly describe the basic facts of the case and explain the factors that led to the false conviction. If applicable, specifically address the role of eyewitness memory in the case.

Your post must be at least 5 sentences to receive credit. You don't have to cite formally for this post (unless you refer to an additional outside source besides the Innocence Project website) but identify the name of the convicted person so that others can read the case if they wish.

Follow these instructions in your posts:

Provide your source(s); feel free to use any citation style when you cite the source. The instructions for APA (American Psychological Association). You will refer to the source(s) but note that most or all of your posts must be written in your own words (paraphrased). To get the full points, you need to have at least 10 sentences in your own words. If you use a direct quote from a source, use quotation marks and an in-text citation. Do not use any direct quotes.