Final answer:
The discrepancy in long-term memory for the car accident shows that memories are not static but can be distorted by leading questions, biases, and misinformation. Thus, the correct answer is option b.
Step-by-step explanation:
The vulnerability of long-term memory (LTM) to distortion is vividly underscored by the disparities in recollections of a car accident. Research, exemplified in experiments by Loftus and Palmer, demonstrates that when individuals are subjected to leading questions, their memory of the incident becomes malleable, succumbing to the misinformation effect. In contrast to the perception of long-term memory as static or impeccably preserved, it is, in fact, susceptible to external influences such as question phrasing, personal biases, and the infusion of misinformation post-event.
The dynamic nature of memory implies that during the retrieval process, memories are not merely recalled but actively reconstructed. This reconstruction introduces the potential for errors and modifications to the original memory, challenging the conventional notion of memory as a stable and accurate repository of past experiences. The implications extend beyond individual recollections, highlighting the intricate and mutable nature of our cognitive processes and emphasizing the need for caution when interpreting and relying on long-term memories.