The course will provide students with a set of up-to-date knowledge on memory processes and forgetting. The course aims at providing an overview of current issues regarding memory. A focus will be placed on eyewitness testimony according to age (children, adults, and the elderly). Practical aspects related to eyewitness testimony will be examined.

Topics that will be considered in the course include

-       What is memory and why do we need it

-       How many kinds of memory

-       Why do we forget

-       What influences accuracy and suggestibility in eyewitnesses according to age

-       Face recognition

-       The weapon focus effect

-       Source monitoring

-       The cross-race effect

-       The cognitive interview.

The course will also entail studying practical aspects of research on memory processes with a particular focus on eyewitness memory. Students will work in groups, perform experimental work, analyze eyewitness interviews, prepare oral presentations, and write essays on applied aspects of research on eyewitness memory.