PSYB3 Cognition & Law Evaluations for Essays

• Some empirical evidence to show that features are used in the process of face recognition. 
• Neglects importance of other information for recognition. 
• Studies show single facial features are not easily recognised. 
• Doen't explain why altering face configuration affects recognition. 
• Shepherd Davies & Ellis Study conclusion - different features. 

Comparison with Holistic Theory

• Holistic form theory suggests that the whole face is involved in face recognition. 
• Important factors:
  - Configuration of the face
  - Relationship between features
  - Feelings Aroused by the face
  - Semantic information 
•  Lack of info on unfamiliar faces unlike Feature analysis

• Evidence from diary studies and lab studies - supports Bruce & Young model. 
• Takes into account that face recognition is complex and involves emotion & semantic info. 
• Can predict and explain every day observations - e.g. recognising someone and not knowing their name. 
• Doesn't explain why Prosopagnosia patients can have unconscious recall. 
• Lack of information about recognition of unfamiliar faces. 
• Study Conclusion - halves of celeb faces.

Comparison with Feature Analysis

• Feature analysis theory states features are most important in recognition. 
• Gives info on unfamiliar faces - recognised by external features e.g hair. 

Photo-Fit

• Feature demarcation lines interfere with recognition. 
• Insufficient features available - 855
• When with distracter faces only identified 12.5% of the time. 
• Feature Analysis theory 

E-Fit

• No significant difference found between Photo-Fit or E-Fit - DAVIES. 
• Artistic elaboration was not allowed so can't be generalised to real life. 
• Feature Analysis Theory 

EvoFit

• Produced to fit in with Holistic theory.
• Allows a composite to evolve from whole faces - not constructed. 

Simultaneous Line-Up

• More chance of someone chosen BUT more chance of false identification.

Sequential Line-UP

• Less chance someone will be chosen BUT less chance of false identification.

VIPER System

• Absolute judgements not relative
• Procedural variables controlled. 
• Less chance of demand characteristics
• Availability of large number of foils. 
• very few line-ups cancelled.

Use of Q's & Post-Event Contamination.

• Memories for events changed by words used in questions and witness discussion. 
• Where misleading info is obviously incorrect it has no effect. 
• Less crucial details more easily distorted - e.g. item stolen more easily distorted than appearance of Robber. 

Emotion/Stress

• Clifford & Scott Study - people who saw most violent film recalled less. 
• Vancouver - Weapon focus had no effect. 
• Vancouver - Leading Questions had no effect. 
• Vancouver - even though emotional still well remembered. 
• Real-life - has Eco Validity.

• Study conclusion - Cognitive interview better than hypnotised and standard.
• Improves Recall in many circumstances. 
• Reduces the amount of post-event contamination. 
• Increase in wrong information however. 
• Officers must be specially trained to carry out the interview. 
• Increases recall of peripheral detail not central. 

• Attempts to provide as similar context as possible between encoding and retrieval. (CONTEXT & EVERY DETAIL)

• Second two points are an attempt to retrieve info from different routes.
  (PERSPECTIVES & ORDER) 

• May or may not be a special type of memory. 
• Amygdale implicated in flashbulb memories. 
• Been found to be resistant to forgetting. 
• May be due to repeated retrieval rather than special properties. 

• Better remembered if personal - MLK/JFK study. 
• Neisser - SPACE SHUTTLE CHALLENGER

Recovered Memories

• Levinger & Clark Study Conclusion - Negative Words
• Williams study - interviewing abused women. 
• Repression is unconscious so cant be studied empirically. 
• Flashbulb memory - more traumatic events better remembered. 
• If we accept memories can be repressed how do we know they're recovered accurately?

False Memories

• Loftus and Ketcham Study - Small Sample
• Ethical issue - making children believe a bad event happened to them. 
• Validity of generalising to real life cases of abuse. 

Theoretical 

• If lost memories can be recovered it would be consistent with Freud's repression theory. 
• If such memories are false it is consistent with the reconstructive nature of memory. 

Ethical

• Someone may be wrongly accused
• Family may be split up
• Individual may be more unhappy after the memory is recovered so more therapy will be needed. 
• Therapists may be tempted to let their own beliefs influence interpretation.

Study Evaluation - Staged Theft

• High level of deception
• Could have caused stress to the participants. 
• Field investigation - increased Eco Validity. 
• Children may have felt pressured into giving answers. 

Theory

• Some evidence shows children's memories can be remarkably accurate. 
• Fivush and Shukat - young children can give accurate recall even after long period of time. 
• Lab studies - emotionally positive events but not in court. 
• Children not overly encouraged to recall. 
• Leading questions not used - may be used in court.