Date of Graduation
1993
Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
This study examined the relative effectiveness of two recall-enhancement procedures designed to increase the completeness and accuracy of eyewitness testimony, the Cognitive Interview and the use of Visual Props. Sixty-four subjects (32 college-age subjects and 32 7-10 year-olds) viewed two separate videotapes of simulated crime situations. After 48 hours, subjects were interviewed in two separate trials, first with a baseline minimal prompting procedure and second with one of the two training interviews. In both situations, accuracy was tested via free recall, cued recall (structured questionnaire), and recognition (photographic line-up) formats. Results indicate that both free and cued recall were significantly improved following training for children and adults, without a concomitant increase in errors of commission. Recognition was not significantly improved following training for either age group. In addition, a significant age and training method interaction was found. Adult's performance on the free recall task was significantly better following Visual Props training rather than training with the Cognitive Interview. No one training method was superior in terms of improving cued recall and recognition for adults. With children, no one training method proved superior in any recall format.
Recommended Citation
Miller, Catherine Martin, "Effects of two methods of recall enhancement on child and adult eyewitness testimony." (1993). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 10136.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/10136