When does misleading information have the greatest influence on an eyewitness memory?
A) when it is given prior to the witnessed event
B) if it occurs during the event as it is being witnessed
C) if it is presented after the event has been witnessed
D) All of the above have similar effects.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Misleading information presented after the event has been witnessed has the greatest influence on an eyewitness memory. This is because memories are vulnerable to distortions and can be easily influenced by new information introduced after the event. This is known as the misinformation effect, and it has been shown to have a strong impact on eyewitness testimony. In contrast, information presented prior to the witnessed event may not be as influential because it has yet to be embedded in the witness's memory, while information presented during the event may be less impactful because the witness's attention is focused on the event itself.

When Does Misleading Information Have the Greatest Influence on an Eyewitness