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Related Experiment Videos

Eyewitness accuracy and confidence: within- versus between-subjects correlations.

V L Smith, S M Kassin, P C Ellsworth

    The Journal of Applied Psychology
    |April 1, 1989
    PubMed
    Summary

    Eyewitness confidence is a poor predictor of accuracy, even when analyzed within a single witness. This study found minimal correlation between confidence and accuracy, highlighting limitations in using confidence to gauge eyewitness testimony reliability.

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    Area of Science:

    • Psychology
    • Forensic Psychology
    • Cognitive Psychology

    Background:

    • Previous research indicates a weak correlation between eyewitness confidence and accuracy using between-subjects designs.
    • The reliability of eyewitness testimony is crucial in legal proceedings.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the predictive power of eyewitness confidence on accuracy within individual subjects.
    • To compare within-subject and between-subjects correlations between confidence and accuracy.

    Main Methods:

    • Ninety-six subjects witnessed a simulated crime and answered questions about it.
    • Participants provided confidence ratings for their answers.
    • Accuracy-confidence correlations were analyzed using both within-subject and between-subjects approaches.

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    Main Results:

    • Both between-subjects (r = .14) and within-subject (r = .17) accuracy-confidence correlations were low and statistically significant.
    • Eyewitness confidence did not reliably predict the accuracy of individual statements or overall witness accuracy.
    • Response latency showed a negligible correlation with accuracy (r = -.09 within subjects) but a stronger negative correlation with confidence (r = -.27 within subjects).

    Conclusions:

    • Eyewitness confidence is an unreliable indicator of testimonial accuracy.
    • The findings have significant implications for the legal system's reliance on eyewitness accounts.
    • Response latency may offer a more nuanced, though still limited, insight into witness certainty.