Question

Several days after the O.J. Simpson verdict, a group of California undergraduates provided researchers with detailed accounts of how they learned about the jury's decision. When the researchers probed students' memories again 15 months later, only half recalled accurately how they found out about the decision. This was due to the memory sin of ______.

Answer 1

The memory sin affecting students' recall of learning about the O.J. Simpson verdict 15 months later is suggestibility, which involves memories being distorted by misinformation and leading to the creation of false memories.

Step-by-step explanation:

The memory sin referred to in the context of the students' inaccurate recall of the O.J. Simpson verdict is known as suggestibility. This involves the alteration of a person's memory due to the influence of misinformation from external sources, which can lead to the creation of false memories. Studies like those by Loftus and Palmer have shown that specific wording in questions can lead to different recollections about the speed of cars in a staged accident, indicating that memory can be very flexible and prone to suggestion. This has significant implications for the reliability of eyewitness testimony, showing how memories can be distorted over time or by leading questions.