Strengths
The work discusses the connection between memory and the legal investigation of crimes. The author’s central idea is that in extreme stress situations, the general memory process is distorted, complicating the investigation process due to the vague testimonies of victims and eyewitnesses. The primary strength of the work is the well-structured thought development. The work’s structure helps the reader understand which ideas are covered and explored and which possible ways of problem-solving are offered. Another strength of the work is the proficient analysis of the cognitive theories and the critical appliance of the chosen approach to the problem identified in the research. For example, in the Interpretation of Research Findings section, the classmate states that the stress level in different crimes cannot be compared due to the other effects on the victim. Such investigation highlights the central thesis of the work and the necessity of addressing and further investigating memory in legal conditions. Another strength of the work is the suggestion to implement a longer retention interval in combination with narrative and free recall methods during interrogation. Such an approach is logical based on the literature review provided by the author.
Areas of Additional Clarification
Further research can be conducted to investigate the possible ways of restoring eyewitnesses’ memory. For example, restoring events in reverse order and associative interrogation can be offered (Marr et al., 2021). As mentioned in the peer’s research, the stress level of eyewitnesses increases when the interrogation provokes painful memories. As a result, avoiding the stress-related memory block should be achieved. In the scope of such ideas, the method of hypnosis can be mentioned. It activates the process of remembering the circumstances of criminal events (Clark, 2020). Such a method is a conversation between a suitably trained specialist and a hypnotized person. This field is massive and difficult to investigate. However, it is one of the potential methods for overcoming the problem of the distorted memory of victims. Even though hypnosis is widely debatable, researching its validity and practical implications for criminal investigations may be interesting for the author of the work.
Remaining Questions
- How does the longer retention interval affect victims’ cognition and their ability to recall the facts? Will the long intervals not cause the erasure of facts from memory, resulting in making the investigation more challenging?
- Which cognitive process in the victim’s memory occurs after the retention intervals?
- How does stress caused by interrogation and recalling painful events affect memory and cognition?
Reflection
The peer’s work highlights that extreme stress results in a memory performance decrease. This idea was necessary for my research related to the decision-making and aggression of police officers. The work of the police is full of stress, which can result in various cognitive distortions. It should not primarily be related to memory but to some behavioral manifestations, such as aggression. In the conducted research, the main focus was on the issues related to social cognition and biased judgments impeded by previous experiences. Investigating the effect of stress on decision-making is essential. It can help comprehend the nature of aggressiveness from both cognitive perspectives, cultural and physiological. This understanding also provokes thoughts related to the changes in the officers’ training. If the effect of stress is significant in decision-making, stress-coping cognitive practices may be helpful. The differences between my research and the peer’s study are in the number of practical problem solutions. The significant similarity is that we both consider the topic from various perspectives through the literature analysis.
References
Clark, T. (2020). Hypnotising evil: Myra Hindley, hypnosis, and criminal investigations in the UK. Contemporary British History, 35(2), 187–209. Web.
Marr, C., Otgaar, H., Sauerland, M., Quaedflieg, C. W. E. M., & Hope, L. (2021). The effects of stress on eyewitness memory: A survey of memory experts and laypeople. Memory & Cognition, 49(3), 401–421. Web.