Question

question 27 (1 point)
which case is most likely to result in unreliable testimony?
a three-year-old asked about an event that happened a week ago by an adult who says that children who tell the truth get candy.
a three-year-old asked about an event that had happened less than an hour prior by an adult who says that children who tell the truth get candy.
a five-year-old asked about an event that happened a week ago by an adult who tells the child to tell the truth.
a five-year-old asked about an event that had happened less than an hour prior by an adult who says that children who tell the truth get candy.

Explanation:

To determine unreliable testimony, we consider factors like a child's age (cognitive development) and the time elapsed since the event (memory retention), along with potential coercion (reward for truth). A three - year - old has more limited cognitive and memory capabilities than a five - year - old. Also, an event that happened a week ago is more distant in time than one that happened less than an hour ago. In option A, a three - year - old is asked about an event a week ago, and there is a reward (candy) for telling the truth, which can influence the child's testimony and, combined with their young age and the long time since the event, makes the testimony most unreliable.

Answer:

A. A three - year - old asked about an event that happened a week ago by an adult who says that children who tell the truth get candy.