Discuss leading questions as a factor affecting the accuracy of eyewitness testimony.

Question 10 Mark Scheme

Discuss leading questions as a factor affecting the accuracy of eyewitness testimony.

[16 marks]

What is expected in the answer?

The command word “discuss” requires students to explain what leading questions are, how they can reduce the accuracy of eyewitness testimony, and then evaluate the research evidence and explanations for their effects. For 16 marks, students should use relevant research such as Loftus and Palmer and consider issues such as response bias, memory substitution, validity and practical applications.

Leading questions are 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 a 16-mark discussion question without a scenario, an appropriate allocation is AO1 = 6 and AO3 = 10, consistent with the structure used for other 16-mark discussion questions on eyewitness testimony.

Level	Marks	Description
4	13–16	Knowledge of leading questions and their effects on eyewitness testimony is accurate and generally well detailed. Relevant research and explanations are clearly understood. Discussion is thorough and effective, with evidence, methodological issues, practical implications and/or alternative interpretations clearly linked to the accuracy of eyewitness testimony. The answer is clear, coherent and focused, with effective use of specialist terminology.
3	9–12	Knowledge of leading questions 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 leading questions is present. The response is mainly descriptive and discussion is only partly effective. Research may be described without clearly explaining 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 leading questions and other factors affecting eyewitness testimony. Specialist terminology is absent or used inaccurately.
0	0	No relevant content.

Indicative content

AO1: Leading questions

Credit relevant knowledge such as:

• A leading question is a question whose wording suggests or implies a particular answer.

• Leading questions can introduce misleading information after an event has taken place.

• The wording may cause an eyewitness to give an inaccurate account of:

  • what occurred

  • the speed or seriousness of an event

  • whether a particular object was present.

• Even relatively small wording changes can influence subsequent responses.

• Leading questions may affect eyewitness testimony through:

  • response bias

  • substitution or memory distortion.

• Leading questions are therefore important because eyewitness testimony may appear confident and detailed while still having been influenced by information encountered after the event.

The specimen mark scheme specifically identifies Loftus and Palmer's changed verbs, later questions about broken glass and other misleading-information research as relevant knowledge about leading questions.

Response bias explanation

Credit relevant knowledge such as:

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