Elizabeth Loftus's research determined that

• A. what people see and hear about an event after the fact can easily affect the accuracy of their memories of that event.
• B. flashbulb memories are rarely an accurate memory of the actual event.
• C. people tend to forget memories that are painful.
• D. eyewitness testimony is generally accurate and reliable.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Begin by understanding the context of Elizabeth Loftus's research, which focuses on memory and its reliability, particularly in the context of eyewitness testimony.
2. Recognize that Loftus's studies often involve experiments where participants are exposed to misleading information after witnessing an event, which can alter their recollection of the event.
3. Consider the concept of 'misinformation effect,' which is central to Loftus's findings. This effect demonstrates how post-event information can interfere with the memory of the original event.
4. Reflect on the implications of Loftus's research, such as the unreliability of eyewitness testimony in legal settings, due to the malleability of human memory.
5. Understand that Loftus's work also challenges the notion of 'flashbulb memories,' suggesting that even vivid, detailed memories of significant events can be inaccurate or distorted over time.