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What was the mean speed estimate for the term "Contacted" in Loftus and Palmer's first experiment?

  1. 31.8

  2. 34.0

  3. 38.1

  4. 39.3

The correct answer is: 31.8

In Loftus and Palmer's first experiment, participants were asked to estimate the speed of vehicles involved in a car accident after being exposed to different verb descriptions of the crash. The term "contacted" yielded a mean speed estimate of 31.8 miles per hour. This finding is significant because it illustrates how the language used in questions can influence participants' perceptions and responses, illustrating the concept of the misinformation effect. The specific context and the subtle differences in wording reveal how memory can be reconstructed based on suggestive cues. Therefore, the mean speed estimate associated with "contacted" underscores the impact of semantic framing on eyewitness testimony.