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Some effects of alcohol on eyewitness memory
1University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
The Journal of Applied Psychology
|June 1, 1990
Summary
Alcohol impairs memory recall for staged thefts, reducing both the amount and accuracy of information provided by witnesses. However, alcohol did not affect recognition accuracy but increased false identifications when the suspect was absent.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Alcohol Effects Research
Background:
- Witness testimony is crucial in legal proceedings.
- Alcohol consumption is a common factor in many real-world incidents.
- Understanding alcohol's impact on memory is vital for accurate eyewitness accounts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of alcohol intoxication on eyewitness memory recall and recognition.
- To examine how immediate interviews influence delayed recall.
- To assess alcohol's impact on false identifications in photospread lineups.
Main Methods:
- 120 male volunteers viewed a staged theft.
- Participants were either sober or alcohol-intoxicated (average BAC of .10).
- Interviews were conducted immediately and 1 week later, including photospread identification.
Main Results:
- Alcohol significantly reduced recall quantity and accuracy in both immediate and delayed interviews.
- Alcohol did not impair the ability to recognize the actual perpetrator's photo.
- Alcohol increased false identification rates when the perpetrator was absent from the photospread.
- Immediate interviews improved delayed recall significantly.
Conclusions:
- Alcohol intoxication impairs eyewitness memory recall but not recognition accuracy.
- Alcohol consumption increases the risk of false identifications in eyewitness lineups.
- Prompt interviewing enhances the reliability of delayed eyewitness testimony.
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