Date of Award

May 2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Andre Kehn

Abstract

Evaluating an eyewitness for their efficacy is a difficult endeavor. Traditionally, scientists have used post-identification confidence to gauge the accuracy of an eyewitness. Recently, other methods are being explored to evaluate the efficacy of an eyewitness, such as, using blank lineups, measures of metamemory, and pre-identification confidence. The present study evaluated a blank lineup procedure where participants were given disconfirming feedback when they made an incorrect decision on an initial blank lineup. Participants then moved to a target present or target absent final lineup. I sought to evaluate the potential effects of disconfirming feedback using the Eyewitness Metamemory Scale (EMS) and pre-identification confidence. I predicted that participants who receive disconfirming feedback will have lower pre-identification confidence on the second lineup. Furthermore, I predicted that participants who report lower pre-identification confidence will be more likely to make an incorrect decision on the first and second lineup. Finally, I predicted that participants who score high on the EMS subscale for discontentment will have lower overall accuracy. The results found the only significant predictors found were post-identification confidence and the contentment subscale of the EMS. Disconfirming feedback was found to significantly reduce pre-identification confidence, and surprisingly, post-identification confidence among participants. With initial lineup performance failing to predict accuracy, further investigation is required to understand the effects of disconfirming feedback. Keywords: eyewitness, metamemory, blank lineup, pre-identification confidence

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