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Primary Hypothesis of the Study
According to Loftus and Palmer (586), the primary hypothesis of the study is as follows:
H1: Changes in a single word can markedly and systematically affect a witness’s answer to that question.
Independent Variable
The current study is comprised of two independent variables comprising of Verb and Verb Condition, in which the verbs like smashed, collided, bumped, hit and contacted are used (Loftus and Palmer 586).
Dependent Variable
The current study is comprised of two dependent variables comprising of Mean Speed Estimate and Yes and No Response, in which the mean speed of the car and response of witness was analyzed (Loftus and Palmer 586).
Primary Results
The primary results of the study indicated that change in the verb and verb condition affect the witness’s response whereas, the verb and verb condition also affect the mean speed of the car that is predicted by the witness. In this manner, the witnesses tend to make their assumptions about the speed of the car in accordance with the choice of words or verbs that are used in the question. Similarly, the witness’s response also fluctuates when the experimenter changes the condition of verbs (Loftus and Palmer 588).
Hypothesis Supported
The hypothesis of the current study was supported by the results which indicated that changes in a single word can markedly and systematically affect a witness’s answer to that question (Loftus and Palmer 588).
Conclusion
The study supported the prior studies and provided the empirical evidence indicating that when the questions are asked after the occurrence of the event, then the response of the witnesses differs. The change in the response takes place due to the reconstruction of the one’s memory whereas, the reconstruction of memory is considered to be the result of the labels that are being used in the conversation. These labels are comprised of the verbs and they influence the memory of an individual to develop the stimuli and hence, shift in the memory takes place and results in the reconstruction of memory which eventually changes the responses of the individuals (Loftus and Palmer 588).
Work Cited
Loftus, Elizabeth F., and John C. Palmer. "Reconstruction of automobile destruction: An example of the interaction between language and memory." Journal of verbal learning and verbal behavior 13.5 (1974): 585-589.
