Assignment 2: False Memories
The US legal system places a lot of importance on eyewitness memory. Most people would report that they can accurately convey what they saw in a particular situation. However these ideas are not supported by research. Instead research shows that memory is quite malleable and is affected by many factors. This research repeatedly demonstrates that people do not remember exactly what they experienced. This modules experiment will show you firsthand how memory for events is not always one hundred percent accurate.
Access the CogLab demonstration False Memory. Follow the instructions to complete the demonstration to familiarize yourself with false memory. Then locate at least one research study from a peer-reviewed journal that examined how eyewitness memory can be affected by false memories.
Based on your research respond to the following situation:
You are considered to be an expert in false memories and a local district attorney has therefore requested your expertise on the following case:
On Tuesday March 6 2007 a bank was robbed in Slidell LA. It was just after opening time 9:04 a.m. and there were barely any customers when a car arrived and parked in the side parking lot of the bank. Two men came out of the car and walked to the entrance. Both wore dark clothing. Upon entering the bank they held out guns and asked for the manager. When the manager identified herself the smaller of the two robbers ordered her to open the safe. Meanwhile the other robber a tall and burley man walked around holding his gun in his outstretched arm and threatening the remaining employees and customers. The manager complied and the smaller robber collected all the money and valuables from the safe. After five minutes the big robber asked if his companion was ready to go. When he was the two ran back to their car and drove away.
The district attorney has asked that you create a presentation about false memory and explain how it might influence this case. He asks that you specifically address the following:
Remember your presentation is designed to help the jury understand false memory and how it might influence the eyewitness testimony of this case. You will have ten minutes to present.
Since this is a legal case you must include formally written slide notes (proper grammar proper paragraphs APA formatting and academic tone) with research to support your claims. The presentation will be a legal document in this case so make it worthy of being legally binding!
Develop an 56-slide presentation in PowerPoint format.
Course Project Grading Criteria and Rubric