Question

The Lost-in-the-mall technique is a method for seemingly implanting false memories in people; using it, researchers ask people to recall details about a fictional event (like being lost in the mall) and many then think they do. We considered the ease with which researches can implant false memories to caution us about what?

	a.	Leaving children unattended in large, crowded places.
	b.	The trustworthiness psychological theories to explain human behavior.
	c.	The trustworthiness of researchers as credible authorities.
	d.	The trustworthiness of eyewitness testimony as evidence.

Answer 1

d) The trustworthiness of eyewitness testimony as evidence.

Lost-in-the-mall technique was a memory implantation technique developed by Jim Coan, who was a student of Elizabeth Loftus. This technique is used to demonstrate that fabricated memories regarding events (like being lost in a mall as a child) that never took place can be created using suggestions. This technique was created to support the facts about repressed memories and false memories. Such implanted false memories can affect the eyewitness testimonies if strong suggestions were presented.