Publication Title
Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications
Document Type
Article
Abstract/Description
The diagnostic feature-detection theory (DFT) of eyewitness identification is based on facial information that is diagnostic versus non-diagnostic of suspect guilt. It primarily has been tested by discounting non-diagnostic information at retrieval, typically by surrounding a single suspect showup with good fillers to create a lineup. We tested additional DFT predictions by manipulating the presence of facial information (i.e., the exterior region of the face) at both encoding and retrieval with a large between-subjects factorial design (N = 19,414). In support of DFT and in replication of the literature, lineups yielded higher discriminability than showups. In support of encoding specificity, conditions that matched information between encoding and retrieval were generally superior to mismatch conditions. More importantly, we supported several DFT and encoding specificity predictions not previously tested, including that (a) adding non-diagnostic information will reduce discriminability for showups more so than lineups, and (b) removing diagnostic information will lower discriminability for both showups and lineups. These results have implications for police deciding whether to conduct a showup or a lineup, and when dealing with partially disguised perpetrators (e.g., wearing a hoodie).
Department
Psychology and Special Education
First Page
1
Last Page
21
DOI
10.1186/s41235-021-00276-3
Volume
6
Issue
1
ISSN
2365-7464
Date
1-1-2021
Citation Information
Carlson, Curt A.; Hemby, Jacob A.; Wooten, Alex R.; and Jones, Alyssa R., "Testing Encoding Specificity and the Diagnostic Feature-detection Theory of Eyewitness Identification, with Implications for Showups, Lineups, and Partially Disguised Perpetrators" (2021). Faculty Publications. 14.
https://digitalcommons.tamuc.edu/educ-faculty-publications/14
