Elizabeth Loftus- “The Fiction of Memory” TED Talk Video Questions

Elizabeth Loftus is a leading cognitive psychological researcher on the topic of memory, more specifically, false

memories. She has done extensive research on the misinformation effect (when our episodic memories change or

become less accurate because of information given to us later) and on the accuracy of eyewitness testimony.

1. What happened to Steve Titus?

2. What fraction of wrongly accused people were due to false eyewitness testimony?

3. Many believe our memories are like recording devices. Loftus says this isn’t true. How does she describe our

memories? (what adjectives and analogies does she use?)

4. Describe multiple examples that show that leading questions can lead people to false memories.

5. How does Loftus feel about the controversial concept of repressed memories (memories that our minds unconsciously

have blocked out because of trauma but can be “recovered” later.... the idea that we never remembered that it happened

until something like therapy brings them out)?

6. How can planted memories affect our behavior?