A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

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Prepare for the A Level Psychology OCR Exam with confidence. Engage with in-depth flashcards and multiple-choice questions that provide hints and thorough explanations. Equip yourself to excel on your exam!

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Which word was associated with the highest average speed estimate in Loftus and Palmer's first experiment?

Hit
Bumped
Collided
Smashed

The correct answer is: Smashed

In Loftus and Palmer's first experiment, the word "smashed" was associated with the highest average speed estimate among participants when they were asked to estimate the speed of cars involved in a traffic accident. This finding aligns with the concept of leading questions and how different wording can influence memory recall. The use of more intense verbs like "smashed" suggests a more severe impact and, consequently, evokes a greater emotional response. This affects participants' perceptions and leads them to provide higher speed estimates. The experiment demonstrated how the phrasing of questions can distort eyewitness memory, which has profound implications for real-world settings, such as court trials where witness testimonies are critical. This underscores how language can shape our understanding and recollection of events.