The Psychology of Eyewitness Testimony and Criminal Justice Essay Plan

This essay plan outlines an investigation into how the field of psychology has challenged the reliability of eyewitness testimony and influenced the criminal justice system's perception of such evidence. The plan begins with an introduction establishing the essay's thesis: psychology's significant contribution lies in scrutinizing the veracity of eyewitness accounts. It discusses the role of reconstructive memory, particularly Bartlett's theory, in understanding the fallibility of eyewitness testimony, supported by academic references. The plan then addresses the misconception of memory as a video recording, emphasizing that memory is a reconstructive process where individuals extract information based on gist and meaning, supported by research. The essay will conclude by acknowledging the skepticism of criminal justice regarding memories, which, despite their importance, are intangible and thus questionable. References to relevant scholarly articles are included.

Running head: PSYCHOLOGY ESSAY
PSYCHOLOGY ESSAY PLAN
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author Note

Running head: PSYCHOLOGY ESSAY
Introduction
Possible thesis statement
(in the introduction, the thesis statement of the whole essay that is speculated to be
written is put down while introducing the whole concept on which the essay would stand. The
introduction would clearly state what the essay would say, speak or deliver to its readers and in
what sense).
Paragraph 1 (Topic sentence)
One of the most significant contributions of psychology in the field of justice system
judiciary) is that its veracity of eye witness testimony.
Evidence/ elaboration
Eyewitness testimony is considered to be an integral part of criminal psychology. It is
based on the theories and approaches of reconstructive memory which is an important
mechanism for understanding psychology. Especially, Barlett’s theory of reconstructive memory
has become crucial to understand the reliability of eye witness in case of any criminal scene or
happening that happened beforehand.
Academic support and development
(The explanation of the thesis statement and topic sentence should be followed by proper
citation of academic journal references and not from random websites). The theory of
reconstructive memory by Barlett is important psychological evidence that talks about credibility
and authenticity of psychology in criminology. According to Barlett, personal interpretation is
completely dependent on our learnt or cultural norms and values and the way every individual

Running head: PSYCHOLOGY ESSAY
perceives the whole world. Therefore, theory of reconstructive memory is relative (Wagoner
2013).
Paragraph 2
Topic sentence
(Another topic sentence is needed, where the central theme of the essay will be repeated
in another way) However, many people also believe that memory works like a videotape where
all the incidents that have already happened in the past is stored and recorded and can also be
retrieved with time.
Evidence/ elaboration
Nevertheless, it is a misconception that the memory works in that way. Memory works in
a different way. According to many researches, it has been found out that individuals extract
information from gist or any underlying meaning. To be very precise, it can be said that people
store information on the basis of what exactly makes sense of them about the incident. People are
in a constant endeavor to decipher what exactly has happened in the incident and that is how
memory works (with proper references) (Wingfield and Byrnes 2013).
Academic support and development
(The explanation of the thesis statement and topic sentence should be followed by proper
citation of academic journal references and not from random websites). According to certain
researches, if new information is learnt and stored in the brain, the brain learns the skills and
experiences associated with it. The brain not just records it blindly but tries to find out rational

Running head: PSYCHOLOGY ESSAY
inferences associated with it in order to connect it with the present situation and recall the
incidents thereafter (Wingfield and Byrnes 2013).
Paragraph 3
Topic sentence (An idea/argument)
However, criminal justice is skeptic regarding memories. Even though memories can
make or break a case, memories are always questionable since they are intangible evidences
(Warford and Agharkar 2013). (provide required academic and scholarly references wherever
required)
Conclusion
(Ending the thesis statement and arguments with a concluding line of deducing certain
facts/ ideas/thoughts thereafter)

Running head: PSYCHOLOGY ESSAY
References:
Wagoner, B., 2013. Bartlett’s concept of schema in reconstruction. Theory & Psychology, 23(5),
pp.553-575.
Warford, L. and Agharkar, B.S., 2013. Delusions and False Memories: Roadblocks to
Competency to Stand Trial. UMKC L. Rev., 82, p.389.
Wingfield, A. and Byrnes, D.L., 2013. The psychology of human memory. Academic Press.