1. Age and EWT: Children
L/O: To be able to describe what research has shown about
children and the accuracy of testimony.
Starter
True or false?
Age is an important factor in the accuracy of EWT. True
As we grow older, the amount of memories we have to store increases. True
As we grow older, the space we have to store memories increases. False
Our memory size itself stays the same; we find new ways to store new memories.
Our age can influence the types of things we remember and forget. True
Our memories never change. False Memory changes as we age and we use
it differently as we age.

2. L/O: To be able to describe what research has shown about
children and the accuracy of testimony.
Children as eyewitnesses
The younger the child, the less eyewitness information they will
provide spontaneously (without questions).
Therefore, children are often interviewed so as to get a more
detailed account of events.
Why is this
Influence of cognitive factors: problematic?
The way questions are asked.
Influence of social factors:
Power and status of interviewer.

3. L/O: To be able to describe what research has shown about
children and the accuracy of testimony.
Children as eyewitnesses
3 factors you need to know about
1. Suggestibility
Children are more sensitive to leading questions.
The younger the child, the bigger the influence.
Ceci et al. (2000)
• Researched children aged 3-12 years.
• Found 3-4 year olds were most susceptible to leading questions.
• Argued that 3-5 year olds form ‘weaker’ memories and so they are
more vulnerable to reconstruction.

4. L/O: To be able to describe what research has shown about
children and the accuracy of testimony.
Children as eyewitnesses
3 factors you need to know about
2. Language abilities
The ability to comprehend (understand) the question affects recall
ability.
Goodman and Schaaf (1997)
• Found: the more complex the question, the more likely a child was to
give an inaccurate answer. The pirate engaged in
blowing bubbles during
The pirate blew the course of the
bubbles, didn’t he? puppet show, is that not
true?
• Suggests that children should not be questioned using language
above their developmental age.

5. L/O: To be able to describe what research has shown about
children and the accuracy of testimony.
Children as eyewitnesses
3 factors you need to know about
3. Memory processes
Young children form and recall more simple memories than older
children.
Saywitz (1987)
• Asked children aged 8-15 years to listen to a crime tape recording.
• After 5 days, they had to recall the incident.
• Found: The youngest ones (8 year olds) recalled less detail but no less
accurately than the oldest (11-15 year olds) who recalled more
details.
• Also found: The 8 year olds were more likely to embellish and
exaggerate.

6. L/O: To be able to describe what research has shown about
children and the accuracy of testimony.
QUICK TEST
What are the 3 key factors affecting accuracy of EWT
in children?
One study for each?

7. You will not be asked
This question does specifically about children or
not ask you to the elderly.
outline and evaluate
as a 12 marker
You will be asked about
would.
‘age’.
It asks you to
describe the If is a 6 marker, just one.
research. So you For a 12 marker, best to
should plan your address both.
answer using
research to guide
you. Plan:
Children.
3 factors lead by 3 studies
(maybe just 2 in detail?).

8. • You have a 6 year old to interview.
• She was in a shop buying a curly wurly when a
man came in and held up the shop for the cash in
the till.
• She remained in the shop for the robbery.
Compose a series of questions that allow for the 3
factors that affect accuracy of eye witness
testimony in children. Your aim is to get the most
accurate testimony.

9. This question requires evaluation of the research findings.
For top marks, you could also include the contrary research by Brainerd and Reyna and The
Fuzzy Trace Theory (article page 58-59 study guide) – to be studied in your own time.