Memory Errors in Real Life

Memory Errors in Real Life

Robinson-Riegler & Robinson-Reigler (2012) wrote that the memory of a human being does not work like a videotape machine that records details faithfully; rather, it is fallible. Some factors can affect one’s memory of a particular event, especially if it is a traumatic event. Stress is one feature of the error that happens. According to Garcia (2019), stress can lead to mistaken identity and can be the leading cause of conflicting accounts of the event’s suspects. For instance, in the case of 7-year-old Jazmine Barnes, who was shot dead in Texas in the presence of her mother and three sisters, the possibility of memory error among the witnesses is high. This paper will discuss Jazmine’s case and how memory error and its consequences can be reduced.

In this event published by the New York Times, a shooter pulled up beside Jazmine and her family members and shot at them, injuring LaPorsha Washington, Jazmine’s mother, and killing Jazmine (Mervoch, 2019). Ms. Washington and her other children met the investigators to try to describe and sketch the perpetrator who shot at them right before sunrise. The shooter was said to be thin, white, and either in his 30s or 40s and was in a red pickup truck (Mervoch, 2019) the Sunday after authorities announced that a 20-year-old man who was black was charged with murder linked to the shooting. However, in an interview with CNN, Ms. Washington stated that her adolescent daughter said the man was white in a black hoodie. She explained that the teenager only saw that because it was still dark and the sun had not come out. Based on this description, Ms. Washington’s daughter may have suffered from what Schacter (2012) calls imagination inflation. This is because even after the white man’s face was displayed in the news headline, the girl may have failed to source monitor operations, allowing one to distinguish between what really happened and what was imagined (Schacter, 2012).

The authorities started searching for a white man as he was put in the headlines. Later, it turned out that the charged suspect was black instead of white, which was unintentional, as reported by the Texas Sheriff. The police believed the guy driving the pickup was a witness to the murder and possibly the last person that the Washington family remembered before the chaos and the havoc.

Another feature believed to have influenced the error in the eyewitness testimony was the fact that the shooting occurred so fast. The teenage daughter stated that she had made eye contact with a blue-eyed man whose face was pale and thin, and it turned out that the description did not match the man who was arrested for the shooting (Simon, 2019). Moreover, the event happened when it was dark at around 7 am. Therefore, many facets may have impacted their memory of what had happened. Besides, after the shooting, one of Washington’s daughters realized that Jazmine was not moving. The stress that came with that may have impacted the quick decisions of the Washington family to want someone to pay for the atrocity. Another feature is that a red truck was present, and the witness described the red truck. Calculating from the time the red truck entered the scene of the murder, the authorities were convinced that it was possible the red truck driver had just been a witness to the murder and not the perpetrator.

The unmatched stories led to the conclusion of whether a white man allegedly shot at a black family was about racism. This led to an inconclusive investigation of the motive of the perpetrator. What may really have happened was that Ms. Washington’s daughter saw the pickup driver after the shooting had happened, and her memory may have started to fade, as Robinson-Reigler & Robinson-Reigler, 2012) describe, happens to memory in trauma. This is where human memory gets contaminated, especially when they start to talk to bystanders, lawyers, authorities, and friends. This may have been cemented in Washington’s mind, especially after seeing the face of a white Man all over the news headlines and when the authorities mentioned a white man who had been charged with the shooting.

What to do to decrease the Occurrence of Memory Errors

The investigators should view every case as idiosyncratic and have a cautious, reflective, flexible, and open approach (Madill & Holch, 2004). For instance, in this case, the Sheriff decided that he was not leaving anything out, especially after discovering that the suspected man did not match the witness’s description and that the case could be race-based. Thomas’ (2019) research study shows that memory error is likely to happen when the witness is given limited time to respond, when they are forced to provide their response, and when other memories similar to the event are presented before them. This does not give the witness time to evaluate the quality of their memory. Therefore, according to Madill & Holch (2004), it is important to allow the witness to study often and clearly recall the event.

Additionally, Robin-Riegler & Robin-Riegler (2012) suggest that witnesses can be reminded that memories may not often be based on their experiences of the event but also on sources such as the family’s narrative, photographs, and, in this case, videos shown in the television. They should also be reminded that when they are asked to repeat something, false memory can result through the process of simulation (Schacter, 2012). Therefore, witnesses should be asked to revisit their memories with this in mind. Thus, raising the witnesses’ awareness of false memories may initiate critical evaluation and strengthen their trust in their view. Besides, this prompts them to stay close to their own perspective rather than other sources.

Madill & Holch (2004) posit that guided imagery can be used to assist the witnesses in processing difficult memories, especially when memory error is detected. This has been proven to help clients explore their emotions and thoughts. However, it can further lead to false memory, especially when the witness has vague recollection.

In summary, investigators need to understand that witnesses’ testimony alone is not enough to convict a perpetrator, and they need to frequently ask the witnesses the same questions using various strategies to note any inconsistencies. This may come in handy if the memory error cannot be avoided. As Thomas (2019) wrote, witnesses’ testimonies are influenced by various factors, including the events that happen after the main event. As Dodson, Koutstaal, & Schacter’s (2000) research study shows, the investigator must pay attention to the sources and factors surrounding the event before, during, and after to evaluate any influences that may have affected the witnesses’ stories.

References

Dodson, C. S., Koutstaal, W., & Schacter, D. L. (2000). Escape from illusion: Reducing false memories. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 4(10), 391-397.

Schacter, D. L. (2012). Adaptive constructive processes and the future of memory. American Psychologist, 67(8), 603.

Garcia, S.E. (2019). Jazmine Barnes’s case shows how trauma can affect memory. The New York Times.

Mervoch, S. (2019). Police Searching for Gunman Who Fired into Car and Killed a 7-Year-Old. The New York Times.

Simon, D. (2019). The man arrested in Jazmine Barnes’ Death didn’t match the Police Sketch. Here are some Possible Reasons why. CNN.

Robinson-Riegler, G. & Robin-Riegler, B. (2012). Cognitive Psychology: Applying the Science of the Mind, Third Edition. Boston MA: Pearson Education Inc.

Madill, A., & Holch, P. (2004). A range of memory possibilities: The challenge of the false memory debate for clinicians and researchers. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy: An International Journal of Theory & Practice, 11(5), 299-310.

Thomas, A. K. (2019). Psychological Science Agenda| May 2019. Psychological Science.

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Laypersons are often unaware of the extent to which memory errors (including memory of events that did not occur and memory distortions) are commonplace and widespread. This assignment aims to make you think of memory errors in real life and the reasons behind their occurrence. Consider the steps listed below:

Memory Errors in Real Life

Read the “Adaptive Constructive Processes and the Future of Memory” and “A Range of Memory Possibilities: The Challenge of the False Memory Debate for Clinicians and Researchers” articles, which overview memory errors and their origins.
Remember that your textbook is another valuable source of information regarding memory errors.
Select a case mentioned in a news article where memory errors have been known or can be assumed to have occurred (e.g., eyewitness testimony, instances of recovered memories of traumatic experiences, etc.).
Describe the errors’ main features, consequences, and possible sources (i.e., what features of human memory make the errors possible?).
Engage your critical thinking skills:

Explain what cognitive psychology suggests that people do to decrease the occurrence of the memory errors that you discuss in your paper. If these errors cannot be avoided, what does cognitive psychology suggest that people do to prevent the often damaging consequences of such errors?
Note that statements regarding the inaccuracy of human memory and strategies to decrease the occurrence of errors and their consequences are to be supported by scientific evidence collected by experts. Thus, the literature on memory errors should be reviewed, and at least two peer-reviewed articles should be used to answer the questions above.
You must begin with an introduction to the selected topic in which you define all concepts discussed in the paper.
Include a brief description of the memory errors in the selected news article and discuss potential sources and known or likely consequences according to the abovementioned guidelines.
Include a conclusion expressing your thoughts about how these memory errors can be prevented or reduced and the extent to which their often dreadful consequences can be minimized. Remember that although your opinion is valuable, it needs to be supported by scientific evidence.