2025-02-24 01:44:58
Read the text below and answer the question: Jurors place a lot of weight on eyewitness testimony. Imagine you are an attorney representing a defendant who is accused of robbing a convenience store. Several eyewitnesses have been called to testify against your client. Question: What would you tell the jurors about the reliability of eyewitness testimony?
- Misinformation effect paradigm holds that after exposure to incorrect information, a person may misremember the original event, hence, the eyewitness testimonies might not be entirely accurate.
- The eyewitness testimonies will probably be inaccurate as strong emotions lead to the creation of weaker memories and therefore, these people will be prone to forgetting what actually happened at the store.
- Eyewitnesses frequently suffer from anterograde amnesia: they cannot remember new information and events that happened prior to their injuries or traumatic experiences that occurred in their life.
Другие предметы Университет Темы: Доказательства и свидетельства в судебном процессе, Надежность свидетельских показаний английский язык профессиональная сфера университет обучение навыки общения деловая переписка профессиональная терминология английский для бизнеса курсы английского подготовка к экзаменам международные отношения карьерный рост языковая практика английский для специалистов коммуникация в бизнесе
2025-07-19 09:09:24
As an attorney representing a defendant accused of robbing a convenience store, it is crucial to address the reliability of eyewitness testimony to the jurors. Here are some key points you might consider presenting:
- Misinformation Effect: Explain to the jurors that the misinformation effect paradigm suggests that after being exposed to incorrect information, eyewitnesses may misremember the original event. This means that their testimonies might not be entirely accurate, as they could have been influenced by external factors or subsequent discussions that altered their memory of the incident.
- Impact of Strong Emotions: Highlight that strong emotions experienced during a traumatic event, such as a robbery, can lead to the creation of weaker memories. This emotional intensity can make eyewitnesses prone to forgetting or distorting what actually happened. Jurors should consider that the stress and fear experienced during the event might have compromised the eyewitnesses' ability to recall details accurately.
- Anterograde Amnesia: Discuss the possibility of anterograde amnesia, where individuals have difficulty remembering new information or events that occurred after a traumatic experience or injury. Although this condition is more specific, it underscores the broader point that memory can be unreliable, especially under stress or trauma. Eyewitnesses may struggle to accurately recall events from the time of the robbery due to these cognitive challenges.
In conclusion, while eyewitness testimony can be compelling, it is important to consider the factors that can affect its reliability. Jurors should be aware of the potential for memory distortion and the influence of external factors on an eyewitness's recollection. Encouraging jurors to critically evaluate the testimonies and consider the scientific insights into memory can help ensure a fair assessment of the evidence presented.
