You are a social psychologist contacted by a defense attorney who is convinced that her client is innocent of assault. The prosecution's case rests heavily on eyewitness testimony
You have agreed to serve as an expert witness whose task is to educate the jury about the shortcomings of eyewitness testimony. What would you tell the court?
What will be an ideal response?
Answer: First, you would be well advised to summarize research evidence that eyewitness testimony is often inaccurate and suggest that jurors should carefully consider both the conditions under which the eyewitnesses saw the alleged offender (Did it all happen fast? How light was it? Was the assault unexpected?) and to consider the conditions under which the defendant was picked from a lineup (Were the foils similar to witnesses' initial descriptions? Were witnesses told that the perpetrator might not be in the lineup? Was the lineup sequential or simultaneous? Did the defendant just "pop out" at witnesses, or did they deliberate before identifying him?). Second, you would point out that confident eyewitnesses are not necessarily more accurate than are unconfident witnesses.
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Behavior therapists take the approach that psychological problems are __________
a) a result of irrational beliefs. b) due to the person not receiving unconditional positive regard. c) a result of inappropriate learning. d) caused by unresolved childhood conflicts.
Your roommate is Catholic and you and he have had some very involved and interesting conversations regarding religion
After many such discussions, you realize that although your roommate indicates that he is Catholic he really does not believe, practice, or adhere to much of Catholicism. From your knowledge of emerging adults, are his thoughts typical? a. No, most emerging adults' religious thoughts are consistent with their denominations. b. No, most emerging adults have no interest in religion. c. Yes, most emerging adults who align themselves with a religion do not necessarily agree with all the beliefs of that denomination. d. Yes, most emerging adults are very religious.