Witnesses and Testimony: A Social Problem in Need of Social Research.

The article discusses issues concerning witnesses and testimonies in congressional hearings in the U.S., a social problem in need of social research. Congressional hearings focused general interest on the witness. A large variety of situations arose in each of which the testifying person appeared in a different light. Some social psychologists felt that it would perhaps be advisable to examine carefully the problems involved in the area of witness behavior, to take stock of what has already been done, and to outline a program of research for the future. In their preliminary thinking they became aware of the fact that similar problems concerning witness performance also exist in connection with court trials.