Discuss the effect of post-event discussion on the accuracy of eyewitness testimony.
Updated: 7 days ago
Question 10 Mark Scheme
Discuss the effect of post-event discussion on the accuracy of eyewitness testimony.
[16 marks]
What is expected in the answer?
The command word “discuss” requires students to explain how post-event discussion can affect eyewitness accuracy and then evaluate the evidence and explanations for this effect. For 16 marks, students should develop concepts such as memory contamination, memory conformity and source monitoring, use relevant research such as Gabbert et al., and consider limitations, alternative explanations and practical implications.
Post-event discussion is explicitly included in the current specification as a factor affecting the accuracy of eyewitness testimony.
Marks for this question: AO1 = 6, AO3 = 10
As this is an extended version of the June 2024 question without a scenario, an appropriate 16-mark allocation is AO1 = 6 and AO3 = 10. The June 2024 mark scheme identifies memory contamination, conformity, source monitoring, Gabbert et al. and Bodner et al. as central content for this topic.
Level | Marks | Description |
4 | 13–16 | Knowledge of post-event discussion and its effects on eyewitness testimony is accurate and generally well detailed. Relevant explanations, including memory conformity and source monitoring, are clearly understood. Discussion is thorough and effective, with research evidence, limitations, alternative explanations and/or practical implications clearly linked to eyewitness accuracy. The answer is clear, coherent and focused, with effective use of specialist terminology. |
3 | 9–12 | Knowledge of post-event discussion is evident but there may be occasional inaccuracies or omissions. Discussion is mostly effective and relevant research is used appropriately. The answer is generally clear and organised but may lack development or focus in places. |
2 | 5–8 | Limited knowledge of post-event discussion is present. The response is mainly descriptive and discussion is only partly effective. Research may be described without explaining clearly what it demonstrates about eyewitness accuracy. |
1 | 1–4 | Knowledge is very limited or muddled. Discussion is limited, poorly focused or absent. There may be confusion between post-event discussion and other factors affecting eyewitness testimony. Specialist terminology is absent or used inaccurately. |
0 | 0 | No relevant content. |
Indicative content
AO1: Post-event discussion
Credit relevant knowledge such as:
Post-event discussion occurs when eyewitnesses discuss an event after witnessing it.
Witnesses may discuss the event with:
other eyewitnesses
friends or relatives
other people who claim to know what happened.
Witnesses may be exposed to details that they did not personally observe.
These additional details can produce memory contamination.
A witness may subsequently report inaccurate information, resulting in:
unreliable recall
false memories
confabulation.
Post-event discussion can therefore reduce the accuracy of eyewitness testimony.
Two important explanations are:
memory conformity
source monitoring errors.
These mechanisms are explicitly identified in the June 2024 mark scheme.
Memory conformity
Credit relevant knowledge such as:
Memory conformity occurs when one witness adopts information supplied by another person.
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