If you’ve ever found yourself desperately trying to remember where you left your keys or struggling to recall an important detail, the solution might be as simple as closing your eyes.
According to new research from the University of Surrey in the UK, shutting out visual distractions can significantly improve short-term memory.
But this isn’t just a neat trick for forgetful moments—it could have serious real-world applications.
For eyewitnesses of crimes, closing their eyes while recalling events may help them provide more accurate testimony, potentially leading to better justice outcomes.
How Closing Your Eyes Enhances Memory
Dr. Robert Nash, the lead researcher on the study, explains that shutting one’s eyes allows people to better visualize details from past events and even enhances auditory recall.
In an interview with the BBC, he noted that eliminating distractions can help people focus on specific sensory details that might otherwise be lost.
To test this theory, the researchers conducted two experiments involving a total of 178 participants.
The first experiment involved showing participants a silent film clip of an electrician entering a home, performing his job, and then stealing possessions.
The participants were then split into two groups: one group was instructed to close their eyes while answering questions about the video, while the other group kept their eyes open.
The results were striking.
Participants who closed their eyes answered 71% of the questions correctly, compared to just 48% in the open-eyes group.
In a second experiment, participants watched a clip from a British crime show featuring an elderly man being attacked in his home.
This time, researchers assessed both visual and auditory recall.
Once again, the group that closed their eyes performed significantly better than those who kept them open.
Challenging the Assumptions About Eyewitness Testimony
Many people assume that the human memory operates like a video recorder, accurately storing and retrieving information as needed.
However, studies have consistently shown that memory is highly fallible, especially when subjected to external influences such as stress, leading questions, or distractions.
Traditional police interrogation techniques rely heavily on eyewitness testimony, yet research has revealed that even cooperative witnesses can struggle to recall important details.
The University of Surrey study highlights how a simple change—closing one’s eyes—can drastically improve recall accuracy.
This finding is particularly relevant given the ongoing debate over the reliability of eyewitness testimony in court cases.
The criminal justice system often places immense weight on eyewitness accounts, even though they can be distorted by factors like poor lighting, brief exposure, and emotional trauma.
The Role of Rapport in Memory Recall
Another key finding of the study was the role of rapport-building in improving recall.
Researchers found that when participants felt comfortable and trusted their interviewers, their ability to recall details improved significantly.
This suggests that effective police questioning techniques should include both rapport-building and encouraging witnesses to close their eyes.
Currently, many law enforcement agencies receive minimal training in proper witness interview techniques.
This research reinforces the importance of structured interview methods that prioritize witness comfort and memory recall accuracy.
The Dark Side of Memory Manipulation
While closing one’s eyes can enhance recall, another study published the same week revealed that memory can be manipulated under the right conditions.
Researchers found that innocent people can be made to believe they committed crimes simply by being subjected to poor questioning techniques over extended periods.
In this experiment, participants were placed in a friendly interview environment where researchers subtly introduced false details and used flawed memory-retrieval strategies.
Shockingly, after just three hours of this suggestive questioning, some participants began to truly believe they had committed serious crimes as teenagers.
This finding raises concerns about how law enforcement officers conduct interrogations.
If memory can be distorted so easily, how many wrongful convictions have occurred due to misleading or pressured questioning?
The Future of Eyewitness Testimony
The University of Surrey’s study underscores an essential point: the way we retrieve memories matters.
Small, seemingly insignificant changes—like closing one’s eyes or ensuring a witness feels comfortable—can have major consequences for the accuracy of testimony.
As legal experts and psychologists continue to refine best practices for police interviews, simple techniques like these could help prevent wrongful convictions and improve the reliability of eyewitness testimony.
So, the next time you misplace your phone or need to recall an important detail, close your eyes and let your brain do the rest.
It just might work better than you think.
Sources: BBC, University of Surrey, Legal and Criminological Psychology
