Question 1

Keep in mind experimental research on eyewitness accuracy conducted by Dunning and Stern (1994) and Schooler and Engstler-Schooler (1990).Now, assume that you are a juror in a robbery trial.All things being equal, of which of the following eyewitnesses should you be most skeptical?

Accepted Answer

Writing down a description can lead to verbal overshadowing, where the act of describing a face can impair subsequent recognition of that face.

Question 2

________ is a recollection of a traumatic past event that had previously been forgotten or repressed.

Accepted Answer

A recovered memory is a term used to describe the recollection of a traumatic past event that had previously been forgotten or repressed. It is often associated with therapy or other methods used to help individuals retrieve memories of trauma that they had buried or forgotten. The accuracy and validity of recovered memories have been the subject of debate and controversy within the field of psychology.

Question 3

With regard to recovered memories, on which point are nonscientific writers and research psychologists most likely to agree?

Accepted Answer

Both nonscientific writers and research psychologists are likely to agree that recovered memories, in the absence of other evidence, are not sufficient to prove past abuse. This is a point of consensus among experts in the field of psychology, who caution against relying solely on recovered memories as evidence of abuse due to the potential for distortion or fabrication of memories.

Question 4

Lawyers who present their case in witness order present witnesses

Accepted Answer

Lawyers who present their case in witness order usually choose the order they believe will have the greatest impact on the jury or judge. This can involve presenting witnesses with the strongest testimony first to capture the attention of the audience or following a specific narrative to create a compelling and coherent argument.

Question 5

You have been arrested on the charge of felonious assault and have your choice of four lawyers, each of whom has a different style of presenting a case.Based on research findings presented in the text, which lawyer would you choose to represent you?

Accepted Answer

Research in psychology suggests that organizing information in a coherent, story-like manner can be more persuasive and memorable to jurors. This approach helps jurors understand the sequence of events and the rationale behind actions, making it easier for them to follow and be convinced by the argument.

Question 6

Stephen is a defense attorney.He always arranges his witnesses so that he can explain his clients' actions to create sympathetic schemas in the jurors' minds.Stephen's success rate reflects the benefits of presenting evidence in

Accepted Answer

The text mentions that Stephen arranges his witnesses to create sympathetic schemas in jurors' minds, which indicates that he presents evidence in a story order rather than a logical or credible order.

Question 7

Joan has been seeing a therapist for several months.At one session, her therapist suggests that Joan's emotional difficulties may be due to sexual abuse as a child.Initially, Joan is unable to recall any such abuse.However, at a later session, she recalls an incident of abuse that she had suppressed for many years.Based on social-psychological research findings, Joan's claims should be

Accepted Answer

Social-psychological research has shown that individuals can develop false memories of events that did not actually occur, particularly if they are suggested or guided by a trusted authority figure such as a therapist. Therefore, while Joan's claims should be taken seriously, they should also be approached cautiously to ensure that they are not the result of false memory syndrome.

Question 8

In social psychology, ________ refer(s) to recollections of a past traumatic event that are objectively false, but that people believe really occurred.

Accepted Answer

False memory syndrome refers to the phenomenon of recollecting events that did not actually happen, but which the person falsely believe to have occurred. This can happen due to a variety of factors, such as suggestion, leading questions, or even the person's own imagination. False memories can be generated in any context, but they have been particularly relevant in cases of alleged childhood sexual abuse where recovered memories are often a part of the narrative.

Question 9

In which of the following ways should lawyers present their case to a jury?

Accepted Answer

Lawyers should present their case in story order to provide a cohesive, chronological narrative that is easier for the jury to follow and understand. This approach allows the lawyers to weave together the testimony of witnesses and evidence to create a persuasive argument. It is also a persuasive way to appeal to the emotions of the jury and help them connect with the case.

Question 10

A study found that judges who presided over jury trials disagreed with the jury's verdict about ________ percent of the time.

Accepted Answer

According to the question, the study found that judges who presided over jury trials disagreed with the jury's verdict about a certain percent of the time. Only option B) 25 matches with this information, indicating that judges disagreed with the jury's verdict in 25% of the cases observed in the study.

Question 11

Lawyers who present their case in story order present witnesses

Accepted Answer

Presenting a case in story order means arranging the presentation of witnesses and evidence in a sequence that follows the chronological order of events, making it easier for the jury or judge to understand the narrative of the case.

Question 12

Jack has just been interrogated as a suspect in a robbery for over ten hours and is psychologically fatigued and confused about what to believe.According to the authors of your text, which of the following is Jack most likely to do?

Accepted Answer

Under psychological fatigue and confusion, individuals are more likely to confess to a crime, even if they are innocent, to end the stressful situation. This is because prolonged interrogation can wear down a person's mental defenses and make them more susceptible to suggestion or the desire to escape the situation.

Question 13

You are being held for questioning in a crime that you did not commit.The interrogation is going on for quite some time: what conditions would lead to any confession you make being seen as coerced?

Accepted Answer

Having the interrogator being videotaped would make it easier to determine if any techniques of coercion are being used. It would also provide evidence if the interrogation techniques used were not in compliance with legal standards. Having only the suspect being videotaped or having the interrogator not visible in the videotape would not provide this level of transparency. The gender of the interrogator should not play a role in determining the validity of the confession.

Question 14

According to the authors of your text, there are many factors that make eyewitness testimony inaccurate.One way to make the justice system fairer might be to require ________, as is the case in other countries.

Accepted Answer

Multiple eyewitnesses can help to reduce the potential for inaccuracies in an individual's testimony by providing additional perspectives on the event in question. This is a common practice in other countries to ensure a fairer justice system. Cross-examination, drawing, and confidence level assessment are also important, but the question specifically asks for a way to make the justice system fairer and multiple eyewitnesses directly addresses this issue.

Question 15

Which of the following techniques would a lawyer employ if she were using the story order method?

Accepted Answer

The story order method involves presenting evidence in a logical sequence that tells a story, typically starting with the events leading to the crime and progressing to the actual crime itself. Option A describes a chronological order of witness testimony that follows this method.

Question 16

While on the witness stand at a child neglect trial, Billy was asked several leading questions by a crafty attorney.This attorney managed to get Billy to report that he had remembered seeing his mother drunk on several occasions.After the trial, Billy remained convinced that his mother was an alcoholic even though this was never true.This is an example of

Accepted Answer

The scenario described is a classic example of the false memory syndrome. This occurs when a person remembers an event that never actually happened, sometimes as a result of leading questions or suggestions from others. In this case, the attorney's leading questions may have planted the idea in Billy's mind that his mother was an alcoholic, even though this was not actually true.

Question 17

A social psychologist would say that the story order of presenting evidence is most effective because it

Accepted Answer

Presenting evidence in a story order establishes a schema or narrative that helps jurors organize and make sense of the information they are hearing. This can make the evidence more memorable and understandable, leading to better decision making.

Question 18

You have just read the section on recovered memories in your text.Based on your reading, what would you say to a psychotherapist who suspects that her client has repressed memories of prior sexual abuse?

Accepted Answer

The most current research suggests that memories can be unreliable, and that therapists should refrain from suggesting that past abuse occurred, as this may create false memories in the client's mind. Therefore, it is important to caution the therapist about the potential risks of suggesting past abuse.

Question 19

After being interrogated, why would someone confess to a crime of which they are innocent?

Accepted Answer

When being subjected to extensive and invasive interrogation, individuals may become psychologically fatigued and confused, leading them to make a false confession, even if they are innocent. This is known as the phenomenon of false confessions. It is the most common reason why an innocent person may confess to a crime they did not commit. Physical coercion is illegal and can lead to false confessions, but it is less common today. People may also confess for other reasons such as coercion, fear, or to protect someone else. A lack of understanding of the consequences of confessing can also lead to a false confession.

Question 20

Based on the research by Geraerts and colleagues (2007), which of the following is most likely to have corroborating evidence about their experience of childhood sexual abuse?

Accepted Answer

William's memory has been continuous and never forgotten, providing more evidence for the experience of childhood sexual abuse. The other options involve memories that were recovered later in life and may be influenced by other factors such as suggestive questioning or therapy.

Quiz 16: Social Psychology and the Law

Keep in mind experimental research on eyewitness accuracy conducted by Dunning and Stern (1994) and Schooler and Engstler-Schooler (1990) .Now, assume that you are a juror in a robbery trial.All things being equal, of which of the following eyewitnesses should you be most skeptical?