Accuracy of Eyewitness Testimony: Anxiety Flashcards
What is eyewitness testimony?
Eyewitness testimony is the account given by people who have witnessed an event, particularly in legal contexts.
How can anxiety affect the accuracy of eyewitness testimony?
Anxiety can impair memory recall, leading to inaccuracies in eyewitness testimony.
True or False: High levels of anxiety always improve the accuracy of eyewitness memory.
False
Fill in the blank: The ________ effect suggests that the presence of a weapon can distract a witness and impair their memory.
weapon
What is the Yerkes-Dodson Law?
The Yerkes-Dodson Law posits that there is an optimal level of arousal for performance, with too much or too little arousal hindering performance.
Multiple Choice: Which study found that high anxiety negatively affected recall accuracy? A) Loftus and Palmer B) Johnson and Scott C) Yerkes and Dodson
B) Johnson and Scott
What is the impact of stress on memory retrieval according to research?
Stress can lead to narrowed attention and impaired retrieval of memories.
True or False: Witnesses under high anxiety are more likely to remember peripheral details.
False
What did Loftus and Palmer’s research primarily investigate?
Loftus and Palmer investigated the effects of leading questions on the accuracy of eyewitness testimony.
Fill in the blank: The ________ hypothesis states that moderate levels of anxiety can enhance memory recall.
inverted U
What is the significance of the ‘weapon focus’ effect?
The ‘weapon focus’ effect refers to the tendency of witnesses to focus on a weapon during a crime, which can detract from their ability to remember other details.
What is a common method used to study the effects of anxiety on memory?
Laboratory experiments simulating stressful situations.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following can lead to increased anxiety? A) Witnessing a crime B) Being interviewed by police C) Both A and B
C) Both A and B
How does anxiety influence the encoding of memories?
Anxiety can disrupt the encoding process, making it more difficult to store accurate memories.
True or False: Individuals with high anxiety are less likely to give detailed eyewitness accounts.
True
What role does the amygdala play in anxiety and memory?
The amygdala is involved in processing emotions and can influence the encoding and retrieval of emotional memories.
What is the effect of post-event information on eyewitness testimony?
Post-event information can alter a witness’s memory of the event, leading to inaccuracies.
Fill in the blank: The ________ effect describes how the wording of a question can influence a witness’s recall.
misinformation
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a method to improve eyewitness testimony accuracy? A) Reducing stress B) Increasing stress C) Ignoring the witness
A) Reducing stress
What is the role of cognitive interviews in eyewitness testimony?
Cognitive interviews are designed to improve the recall of witnesses by using specific techniques that reduce anxiety and enhance memory retrieval.
True or False: Research indicates that anxiety has no impact on the confidence of eyewitnesses.
False
What is the relationship between confidence and accuracy in eyewitness testimony?
High confidence does not always correlate with accuracy; witnesses can be confident yet incorrect.
Fill in the blank: The ________ theory suggests that high anxiety can cause a tunnel effect in memory recall.
narrowing
What is a limitation of laboratory studies on anxiety and eyewitness testimony?
Laboratory studies may lack ecological validity
They also may not accurately represent real-life situations.
Multiple Choice: Which factor has been shown to negatively impact memory recall in witnesses? A) Time B) Stress C) Both A and B
C) Both A and B
True or False: Witnesses are more accurate when recalling events that they have witnessed from a distance.
False
What is the role of the hippocampus in memory?
The hippocampus is crucial for the formation of new memories and the retrieval of past experiences.
Fill in the blank: High levels of ________ can lead to memory distortion.
stress
What is the primary focus of the misinformation effect?
The misinformation effect focuses on how incorrect information presented after an event can alter a person’s memory of that event.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a factor affecting eyewitness testimony? A) Anxiety B) Age C) Weather conditions
C) Weather conditions
True or False: Witnesses are equally reliable regardless of their emotional state.
False
What is an example of a situational factor that can affect eyewitness accuracy?
Lighting conditions at the time of the event.
Fill in the blank: The ________ effect occurs when a witness’s memory is altered by misleading information.
misinformation
What is the significance of the ‘cross-race effect’ in eyewitness testimony?
The cross-race effect refers to the tendency for people to more accurately recognize faces of their own race compared to those of other races.
Multiple Choice: Which statement is true regarding anxiety and memory? A) Anxiety enhances all types of memory B) Anxiety primarily affects memory retrieval C) Anxiety has no effect on memory
B) Anxiety primarily affects memory retrieval
True or False: The presence of an eyewitness can significantly influence jury decisions.
True
What is the impact of time delay on eyewitness memory?
Time delay can lead to memory decay and increased susceptibility to misinformation.
Fill in the blank: Witnesses who experience ________ are less likely to provide accurate descriptions.
high anxiety
What does the term ‘cognitive load’ refer to in the context of eyewitness memory?
Cognitive load refers to the amount of mental effort being used in the working memory, which can affect recall ability.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a technique to enhance eyewitness memory retrieval? A) Hypnosis B) Cognitive interviews C) Both A and B
B) Cognitive interviews
True or False: Emotional arousal can enhance memory for central details but impair memory for peripheral details.
True
What is the role of the prefrontal cortex in memory and anxiety?
The prefrontal cortex is involved in decision-making and moderating social behavior, which can be impacted by anxiety.
Fill in the blank: The ________ effect suggests that witnesses are less accurate when recalling details of a crime if they are under emotional stress.
stress
What is the primary concern regarding the reliability of eyewitness testimony in the legal system?
Eyewitness testimony can be influenced by various factors, leading to misidentifications and wrongful convictions.
Multiple Choice: Which factor is most likely to lead to memory distortion? A) Time B) Stress C) Both A and B
C) Both A and B
True or False: Witnesses tend to have better recall when they are interviewed immediately after an event.
True
What is the significance of the ‘reconstructive memory’ theory?
Reconstructive memory theory suggests that memories are not static but can be altered during recall, influenced by various factors.
Fill in the blank: The ________ hypothesis posits that memory recall is best at moderate levels of anxiety.
inverted U
What is the effect of group discussions on eyewitness memory?
Group discussions can lead to conformity effects, where individuals alter their memories to match those of the group.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following can enhance memory recall in witnesses? A) Stress B) Relaxation C) Confusion
B) Relaxation
True or False: The accuracy of eyewitness testimony is unaffected by the passage of time.
False
What is the potential consequence of eyewitness misidentification?
Eyewitness misidentification can lead to wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice.
Fill in the blank: Witnesses under ________ are more vulnerable to suggestion.
stress
What is the primary aim of research into eyewitness testimony and anxiety?
To understand how anxiety affects memory accuracy and to improve legal processes.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a common misconception about eyewitness testimony? A) It is always reliable B) It can be influenced by stress C) Both A and B
A) It is always reliable
True or False: Witnesses are less likely to misremember details if they are interviewed shortly after the event.
True
What is the significance of the ‘post-event discussion’ effect?
Post-event discussion can lead to contamination of memories, altering a witness’s recollection of the event.
Fill in the blank: The ________ effect refers to the tendency for witnesses to remember more details about the central aspects of a crime than peripheral ones.
central
What is the impact of age on eyewitness testimony accuracy?
Younger and older adults may have different recall abilities, with older adults often showing less accuracy.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following strategies can improve the accuracy of eyewitness testimony? A) Using neutral questions B) Asking leading questions C) Ignoring the witness
A) Using neutral questions
True or False: Eyewitness testimony is always considered credible in court.
False
What is the ‘cognitive interview’ technique?
The cognitive interview technique is designed to help witnesses retrieve more accurate and detailed memories by reducing anxiety and using specific questioning techniques.
Fill in the blank: The ________ effect indicates that eyewitness memory can be influenced by the way questions are framed.
framing
What is the relationship between anxiety and decision-making in eyewitnesses?
High anxiety can impair decision-making, leading to poor identifications and choices.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following describes a factor that can enhance memory retrieval? A) High stress B) Relaxation C) Distraction
B) Relaxation
