Mock‐Juror Evaluations of Eyewitness Testimony: A Test of Metamemory Hypotheses1

摘要: Wells and Lindsay (1983) proposed that juror belief of eyewitness testimony was influenced by various types information. Four mock-jury experiments were conducted to test hypotheses derived from their metamemory analysis. In Experiment 1, 288 subjects read brief “transcripts” a purse-snatching trial in which 0, or 2 eyewitnesses testified for each the prosecution and/or defense. Consistent with hypothesis inter-subjective agreement (consensus among witnesses) important, guilty verdicts most likely presence unopposed least defense eyewitnesses. employed 75 viewing videotaped simulation replicated findings first experiment as well demonstrating nature witness' (a no identification decision vs. alibi) unimportant but person providing an alibi important (stranger relative). 3,60 listened audiotaped procedure varying internal consistency testimony. Inconsistent failed reduce reflected votes. The fourth exposed 60 audiotapes burglary lighting conditions length exposure criminal eyewitness. Neither variable significantly Explanations failure obtain significant effects latter two possible directions further research are discussed.