This essay delves into the reliability of eyewitness testimony, a crucial element in the criminal justice system, while acknowledging the concerns raised by forensic psychologists regarding its accuracy. The paper argues that eyewitness testimony is susceptible to psychological biases, including memory reconstruction, environmental influences, and factors like stress and anxiety, making it potentially unreliable. The essay explores the malleability of human memory, reconstructive memory, and the impact of misinformation on recall. It also discusses the role of schema and cognitive processes in distorting memories. The essay further examines the influence of factors such as stress and anxiety, as well as the legal implications of unreliable eyewitness accounts. Finally, the essay concludes by evaluating the merit of eyewitness testimony from a psychological perspective, suggesting that while not entirely reliable, it can be made more effective through psychological interventions and adherence to scientific protocols, such as cognitive interviews, to mitigate the influence of psychological biases. The essay emphasizes the importance of understanding the limitations of eyewitness testimony and the need for caution in its application within legal proceedings, to prevent miscarriages of justice.
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