The Psychology of Blackwood House - Can You Trust the Evidence? **A-Level Psychology & Access - Level 3 Interactive-Style Investigation and Teaching Resource What happened to Eleanor Blackwood? And can your students trust the evidence?** On 17 October 2026, Eleanor Blackwood disappeared during a mysterious power cut at her family estate. Four people were present, each with a possible connection to the events that unfolded. Students become investigators, examining witness statements, conflicting evidence, suspicious messages and estate documents to decide what really happened. But this is more than a fictional mystery. As the investigation develops, students discover how psychological processes can influence their own judgements, memories and interpretations. What will students learn? The investigation explores: Schemas and expectations - How existing knowledge influences our initial judgements. Reconstructive memory and eyewitness testimony - Including Bartlett (1932), Loftus and Palmer (1974), leading questions and the cognitive interview. **Confirmation bias **- How we search for and interpret evidence, including Wason’s (1960) hypothesis-testing research. Scientific reasoning - Objectivity, falsifiability, distinguishing facts from assumptions and evaluating evidence. Hindsight bias - Why events can seem more predictable once we know the outcome, including Fischhoff (1975). Five engaging investigation activities Activity 1 - The Disappearance Students examine Eleanor’s final messages and the estate dispute, develop an initial theory and consider their assumptions. Activity 2 - Can You Trust a Witness? Students compare eyewitness statements, investigate memory reliability and apply psychological research. Activity 3 - The Confirmation Bias Trap Students build a case against a suspect, then challenge their own reasoning and consider alternative explanations. Activity 4 - Fact, Assumption or Interpretation? Students examine physical evidence, evaluate its limitations and distinguish supported conclusions from speculation. Activity 5 - The Final Verdict Students reach their conclusion, discover what happened to Eleanor and reflect on their own reasoning using hindsight bias. What’s included? A 45-page illustrated student investigation workbook with realistic fictional evidence, activities and psychological explanations. A separate tutor guide with suggested answers, teaching guidance and differentiation. An editable 25-slide classroom PowerPoint with discussion prompts and psychological research. Opportunities for individual investigation, group discussion, application and evaluation. Curriculum relevance