Question
Students were asked about the speed of cars involved in an accident. When the verb was changed from "contacted" to "smashed", __________________________.
A. it had no effect on the participant's' estimate of the speed of the vehicle involved in the crash
B. participants estimated the speed of the vehicle involved in the crash to be higher.
C. participants estimated the speed of the vehicle involved in the crash to be lower when the verb was "smashed."
D. it had no effect on estimates.
A. it had no effect on the participant's' estimate of the speed of the vehicle involved in the crash
B. participants estimated the speed of the vehicle involved in the crash to be higher.
C. participants estimated the speed of the vehicle involved in the crash to be lower when the verb was "smashed."
D. it had no effect on estimates.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The correct completion for the sentence based on the context of how the wording of a verb can influence perceptions or memory (a phenomenon known as the "misinformation effect") is:
**B. participants estimated the speed of the vehicle involved in the crash to be higher.**
This aligns with findings from studies, such as those by Elizabeth Loftus, which indicate that the choice of verb can significantly impact participants' recollections and estimates regarding events.
**B. participants estimated the speed of the vehicle involved in the crash to be higher.**
This aligns with findings from studies, such as those by Elizabeth Loftus, which indicate that the choice of verb can significantly impact participants' recollections and estimates regarding events.