The use of participant free-hand drawings and written verbal descriptions as practice for a facial recognition task: Implications for improving eyewitness identification accuracy

Kimberley Ann McClure, University of Texas at El Paso

Abstract

Participant free-hand drawings and written verbal descriptions are investigated as potential elaborative retrieval strategies designed to improve recognition accuracy for unfamiliar faces. Experiment 1 involved a 3 (Type of Practice) by 2 (Face Status) mixed-model, standard recognition paradigm. Participants completing a free-hand drawing had higher recognition accuracy in comparison to controls, but not higher than participants completing a written verbal description. Experiment 2 involved a 3 (Type of Practice) by 2 (Delay of Practice) by 2 (Type of Lineup) mixed-model, lineup identification paradigm. Target identification accuracy was higher for participants when practice was not delayed and they completed a written verbal description. Results are discussed in relation to the research on facial recognition and lineup identification.

Subject Area

Cognitive therapy|Psychology|Experiments

Recommended Citation

McClure, Kimberley Ann, "The use of participant free-hand drawings and written verbal descriptions as practice for a facial recognition task: Implications for improving eyewitness identification accuracy" (1998). ETD Collection for University of Texas, El Paso. AAI9832818.
https://scholarworks.utep.edu/dissertations/AAI9832818

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