Eyewitness memory is influenced by various psychological limitations operating unconsciously. It involves not only direct perception but also interpretation, which can result in errors. These errors often manifest as witnesses creating narratives based on their beliefs rather than what they legitimately observed. Such narrative building can mislead, as seen in historical accounts that reflect this phenomenon, such as the exaggerated reports of creatures in the American Southwest. This narrative tendency can turn honest accounts into fictionalized stories that distort actual events.
Credible, confident eyewitnesses are typically very convincing to juries, as honest people’s accounts lead to a tendency to believe their perceptions.
Eyewitness accounts derive from perception and interpretation, meaning witnesses may see logical connections where none exist, leading to errors.
#eyewitness-memory #psychological-limitations #narrative-interpretation #cognitive-psychology #memory-errors
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