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The Relationship between Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and the Accuracy of Eyewitness Testimony
Laura E. Hart
The intention of this study is to investigate if a diagnosis of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder makes a person a better or worse eyewitness. This study will be conducted in northeastern Pennsylvania and will consist of 36 individuals with diagnosed OCD and 36 healthy controls. Research has found that individuals with OCD have poor memory functioning and deficits in organizational strategies and visuospatial skills; however, in today’s judicial system, these deficits aren’t enough to have the testimony of an eyewitness with OCD dismissed. In this study, participants will be assessed through a multiple choice accuracy test, suggestibility paragraph completion, and a free recall session, all based on previously viewed video content. Results will show if the OCD participants were more or less accurate in recall of eyewitness events.
Introduction *** Participants *** Videos *** Procedure *** Expected Results *** Future Research *** References
*This proposal was written in partial fulfillment of requirements for an undergraduate research methods course and is not intended to be carried out.*
Research Topic: The relationship between obsessive-compulsive disorder and the accuracy of eyewitness testimony
Text: Butcher, J.N, Mineka, S. & Hooley, J.M (2007) Abnormal Psychology (13th ed.). Boston: Pearson.
Target Journal: Journal of Abnormal Psychology