Using metamemory measures and memory tests to estimate eyewitness free recall performance

Abstract

Using a mock witness methodology, we investigated the predictive value of metamemory measures and objective memory tests as indicators of eyewitness free recall performance. Participants (n = 208) first completed a metamemory assessment that included assessments of self-rated memory capacity, memory development and use of strategies. In a separate session, participants watched a mock crime video and provided a free recall account, followed by one out of four independent memory tests (i.e., free recall, cued recall, face recognition and general knowledge). Accuracy, amount of details reported, confidence and over/underconfidence in the eyewitness free recall were the main dependent variables. Results indicated three main findings: (1) subjective assessments of memory capacity were not related to eyewitness free recall performance; (2) although individual confidence and over/underconfidence was somewhat stable across different memory tests, accuracy was less stable; and (3) individuals with higher self-rated memory capacity had a slightly stronger confidence-accuracy relation in free recall. These results are discussed with respect to metamemory assessments and performance stability across memory tests of different domains.

Providing eyewitness confidence judgments during versus after eyewitness interviews does not affect the confidence–accuracy relationship.

“…The model was fitted using the lme4 package v1.1–23 in R 4.0.2 (Bates et al, 2015) and p -values were obtained in the afex package v. 0.26–1 (Singmann et al, 2018). In line with existing research (e.g., Saraiva et al, 2020; Weber & Brewer, 2008; Wixted & Wells, 2017), the analyses revealed that confidence was a significant predictor of accuracy, χ 2 (1) = 1003.30, p < . 001.…”

“…To investigate this, participants watched one mock crime video, completed free recall and cued recall tests for details in the video, and then completed this procedure again for an alternative mock crime video. Research shows that eyewitness free recall reports are typically associated with high accuracy at every level of confidence, and responses are mostly given with high confidence (Saraiva et al, 2020). Therefore, we included cued-recall questions to produce enough variation in accuracy and confidence to plot stable calibration curves.…”

Long retention intervals impair the confidence–accuracy relationship for eyewitness recall.

“…Consistent with previous research, we found that people’s beliefs about their general memory ability did not significantly predict their confidence when they recalled details shortly after witnessing a mock crime event (Saraiva et al, 2020). We predicted that self-rated memory ability would have a larger impact on confidence when the delay was long compared to when the delay was relatively short.…”

Individual differences in autobiographical memory: The autobiographical recollection test predicts ratings of specific memories across cueing conditions.

“…Second, as it is often not possible to check the objective accuracy of past events, ratings of memory confidence are often used as a way of evaluating the credibility of witnesses in legal settings. As demonstrated by the ART, there are individual differences in the recollective experience of autobiographical memory, and findings suggest that also ratings of memory confidence are somewhat stable across conditions, indicative of a trait-like characteristic (e.g., Saraiva et al, 2020). Future studies should examine how scores on the ART are related to ratings of memory confidence.…”