In a Classic Study on Misinformation (Loftus, Et Al

question 134

Multiple Choice

In a classic study on misinformation (Loftus, et al., 1978) , participants first viewed a brief film of a car accident. Some participants were then asked how fast the cars were going when they 'hit' each other; other participants were then asked how fast the cars were going when they 'smashed' each other. Finally, all participants were asked if they saw broken glass in the film. What were the results of the study?

• A) The participants who were asked how fast the cars were going when they 'smashed' each other remembered the cars as traveling faster than did participants who were asked how fast the cars were going when they 'hit' each other. Both groups of participants were equally likely to remember broken glass in the film.
• B) The participants who were asked how fast the cars were going when they 'smashed' each other remembered the cars as traveling faster than did participants who were asked how fast the cars were going when they 'hit' each other. They were also more likely to remember seeing broken glass than were the participants who were asked how fast the cars were going when they 'hit' each other.
• C) Both groups of participants were equally likely to remember broken glass in the film. In addition, the participant groups did not differ in their estimates of the speeds of the cars.
• D) The participant groups did not differ in their estimates of the speeds of the cars. However, the participants who were asked how fast the cars were going when they 'smashed' each other remembered the cars as traveling faster than did participants who were asked how fast the cars were going when they 'hit' each other.

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Definitions:

CT Scans

Are imaging procedures that use computer-processed combinations of many X-ray measurements taken from different angles to produce cross-sectional images of specific areas inside the body.

PET Scans

Imaging tests that allow doctors to check for diseases in the body by injecting a radioactive substance to show activity and function of tissues and organs.

Sympathetic System

Part of the autonomic nervous system that activates what is often termed the fight or flight response, preparing the body for rapid action in response to a perceived threat.

Parasympathetic System

controls homeostasis and the body at rest and is responsible for the body's "rest and digest" response.