h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Had an essay for psychology sprung on me today.
I've not a clue where to start or what write for it.
As usual the teacher was no help at all.

It's on Loftus' research in to eyewitness testimony and we have to make reference to a guy who wrong found guilty of rape, which is odd because the main reason he was imprison was because the police framed him...

What's the actual essay title?

I'll help you out with this one if I can... I'll look some stuff up after I get done with speech, there should be something on wikipedia...

Not one for psychology and having found more than one Loftus in Wikipedia, is the first name Elizabeth?

The lecture you've had on the subject will probably provide some big clues as to what the teacher is looking for. Have you got any notes or handouts on it?

Also, what are the titles of your set textbooks relating to the essay?

What text books? We don't have any that go with the course.
What lectures? We have lessons... lessons I haven't been at because I've been ill. Hence having an essay in being a surprise.
There was one poxy handout [I got from someone who hadn't been off college sick, not the teacher], it was on this guy Steve Titus who was on trial for rape. Although you coulod tie in some principle of Loftus eyewitness research, they tie in neatly and are more about the general principles of why memories aren't reliable records of what happened.

Now having had a chance to look at the Seattle Times coverage of the Titus case I have some info that is actually of use rather than the handout that only really related the police misconduct not issues of memory.
Still haven't found anything useful in the way of Loftus research that ties in with the case. Hopefully with enough time on google I will...

"Discuss the Loftus research studies including three factors involving eyewitness testimony. Make links to the Steve Titus, regarding the consequences of relying on statements of eyewitnesses."
1500 words.

If you can get your hands on this book, I very strongly recommend it! It might seem expensive, but I'm sure it will be a real help all the way through your course. Your local library might have it, if you can't afford it.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0340900989/qid=1129810092/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_11_1/202-9508199-1568661

Now I was looking at this essay topic and thinking, yeesh, I'm gonna have to do a lot of research on this... Now The teacher who's setting it has basicaly said that it's meant to be put together with what notes I've taken in lessons and the handouts...!!!
I wanna take this bogbrush and batter her with it . This psychology teacher lives in her own tiny little deluded universe...

She has barely covered Loftus in classs other than write her name on the board with no explanation as to what context she fits with whatr she's actually waffling about... or to waffle* on about leading questions...
Everybody I have spoken to has complained about how at the end of the lesson they end up with lots of notation but none of it is meaningful or makes coherant sense.
Some of us just don't bother to note anything she says anymore and rely on own understanding of handouts to get us through...

*[when I say waffle I don't5 mean to go on and on intop exhaustive and dry detail, I mean waffle as in be vague and unclear and take far to long to say very little of use or accuracy]

I seem to recall that book I just recommended had a good section on eyewitness testimony.

When's the deadline?

It sounds way over my head... even if she did not waffle, I'd flounder. Great that the rest of the troops chip in and help with this essay!

Milla

Here's an alternative general book which I found useful when I was doing a psychology 'A' Level: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0174481810/qid=1129841488/sr=1-4/ref=sr_1_3_4/202-9508199-1568661

It assumes no previous knowledge of psychology, covers all the main points, and has a summary at the end of each chapter. I can't remember whether it says much about your essay subject--too long ago, I'm afraid.

I got two different edition of the first book out of the college library.
Haven't looked at all the sources I've gathered properly yet.

In other news I'm currently finding hard to ignore the fact that I am incredibly inferior.

In a generalised way, or in a specific area?

In... everything.

I'm sorry to hear that. Is it connected with starting college and all the new stuff you're doing?

I've been feeling the same way, but I have a Gothly to keep reminding me that I'm just imagining it and that I should stop thinking of myself in terms of if-I'm-not-perfect-then-I'm-crap.

I know you don't feel comfortable about compliments and that they feel untrue to you, but I've just gotta say this: I think you're great. I like your analytical mind, your down-to-earth attitude, your black humour, your kindness and the fact that you don't put up with crap. I like the fact that you are an individual, not a clone. You make me laugh and I've really warmed to you. Whatever you choose to do in life, I hope you'll do it for the enjoyment of it, even if you turn out to be really useless at it. So what if you are? All those other People, let 'em go to Hell.