2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PSYC3519 The Psychology of Eyewitness Testimony

15 creditsClass Size: 80

Module manager: Dr Charity Brown
Email: psccbr@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

Successful completion of all pass for progression modules in Level 2 of:
BSc Psychology or MPsyc, BSc Advanced Psychology (and its International and Industrial variants)

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

The reliability of eyewitness testimony remains a primary concern for the criminal justice system. Mistaken eyewitness testimony can lead to miscarriages of justice. For some time eyewitness memory researchers have investigated the conditions under which eyewitness testimony may be mistaken and have successfully promoted safeguards to reduce the likelihood of eyewitness error. In this module we explore several broad themes relating to the reliability of eyewitness memory:- What kinds of factors might affect the reliability of a witness’s testimony?- What does eyewitness memory research tell us about how memory works? - What different methodologies have been used in the study of eyewitness memory? What are their strengths and weaknesses?- How has eyewitness memory research informed “real-world” contexts? That is, how is this knowledge used by the police and courts, and how might it contribute further?We consider these issues in relation to two specific topics within the eyewitness memory research domain: memory for faces (Dr Charity Brown) and memory for events, the latter particularly emphasizing child eyewitness testimony (Dr Amanda Waterman).

Objectives

Students will specialise in conceptual and theoretical issues relating to 'The Psychology of Eyewitness Testimony'.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module students are expected to be able to:
1. Demonstrate in-depth understanding of what eyewitness memory research can tell us about how memory works;
2. Demonstrate in-depth understanding of the various methodologies used in eyewitness research and evaluate their strengths and weaknesses;
3. Critically discuss the role of a number of key factors in determining the reliability of eyewitness testimony;
4. Critically discuss how empirical psychology can inform the processes and practices used by the police and courts to obtain and evaluate eyewitness testimony.

Skills outcomes
- Students will have the opportunity to develop skills in the selection, evaluation and application of published research in the area of eyewitness testimony.
- Students will gain practice in the application of theory to practical real world issues.

Syllabus

There will be 10 x 1.5-hour lectures (5 of these are pre-recorded) and 6 x 1 hour seminars. This module considers a number of issues surrounding the reliability of eyewitness recall and identification, including:

The Case for Eyewitness Memory Research and Methodologies
Factors affecting eyewitness identification: Systems and Estimator variables
Historical and legal background to eyewitness testimony
Suggestibility in eyewitness testimony
Interviewing eyewitnesses
False Testimony: Lying and lie detection

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	10	1.50	15.00
Seminar	6	1.00	6.00
Private study hours			129.00
Total Contact hours			21.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

Total Contact hours: 21:
• Lectures: 10 x 1.50 hours (15 total)
• Seminars: 6 x 1.00 hour

Total Private study hours: 129 hours
Private Study:
• Preparation for seminars: 5 x 45 mins (3.75 hours total)
• Contribution to online peer learning resource (150 word summary): 2.5 hours
• Engaging with recommended reading associated with each lecture: 10 x 4 hours (40 hours total)
• Independent literature searches and reading: 37.75 hours
• Revision and practicing exam questions: 45 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

In week 8, students (individually) post a 150 word summary and evaluation of a journal article based on a given topic of eyewitness memory.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	Online posting task (150 word submission)	0.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		0.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Online Time-Limited assessment	2 hr 00 mins	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		100.00

If administered online this will take the form of an Online Time-Limited assessment.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 29/04/2024 16:19:53

Disclaimer

Browse Other Catalogues

• Undergraduate module catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
• Undergraduate programme catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD