Abstract
Research on the relationship between the inferential impact of testimony and the credibility or reliability of sources or witnesses is summarized. Formal expressions are discussed which prescribe the nature of this relationship in certain well-defined cases. Also discussed are empirical studies which show that people typically do not degrade the impact of testimony in a manner consistent with the reliability of the sources of testimony. Attempts to improve inferences and decisions by decomposing the tasks performed are also summarized. Problems in applying such aiding techniques in judicial proceedings are discussed.

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