Implicit Association Study Summary
In their study, Freng and Kehn (2013) described the use of Implicit Association Test (IAT) to test the accuracy of the eyewitness testimony. IUT has been proven to be a highly effective tool to “distinguish between information witnessed during a previous event and information that was not witnessed” (Freng and Kehn, 2013, p.5). the purpose of this study is to create a modified version of the test and distinguish what the participants witnessed versus did not witness. Furthermore, the participants were expected to complete an IAT test after they viewed a simulated crime video. The details of the events in the video was manipulated by the experimenters.
Eighteen participants consisted of 9 males and 9 females of European/American descent were
used for this experiment. In addition, participants who made too many mistakes on the test were taken out of the experiment. Participants read and signed a consent form prior to watching the videos (Freng and Kehn, 2013). The video portrayed a scene of a robbery which lasted for about 90 seconds. Participants then were asked to complete a questionnaire which consisted of filler question so their memory of the crime will be skewed. Moreover, participants completed a 30-item recognition test to identify evidences in the video. The recognition task was performed before taking the IAT test to determine whether their memory was altered.
In conclusion, results of the experiments showed that the IAT test did influence the answers in the recognition test. The modified version of the IAT test is able to differentiate between what was recognized and what wasn’t.
Learning and Behavior/Cognition
Eighteen participants consisted of 9 males and 9 females of European/American descent were
used for this experiment. In addition, participants who made too many mistakes on the test were taken out of the experiment. Participants read and signed a consent form prior to watching the videos (Freng and Kehn, 2013). The video portrayed a scene of a robbery which lasted for about 90 seconds. Participants then were asked to complete a questionnaire which consisted of filler question so their memory of the crime will be skewed. Moreover, participants completed a 30-item recognition test to identify evidences in the video. The recognition task was performed before taking the IAT test to determine whether their memory was altered.
In conclusion, results of the experiments showed that the IAT test did influence the answers in the recognition test. The modified version of the IAT test is able to differentiate between what was recognized and what wasn’t.
Learning and Behavior/Cognition