contemporary study Flashcards
contemporary study
valentine and mesout 2009
aim
test hypothesis that high arousal can reduce an eyewitness’ ability to recall info and identify a perpetrator
sample
56 ppts field exp
- 29F
- 27M
procedure
visitors given reduction in ticker if they completed questionnaire after visit
* must wear HR monitor throughout visit
- actor dressed in dark robe and makeup to look pale with wounds and scars
- actor step out in front of ppts blocking them from passing
- all ppts went round dungeon the same way
- once tour was completed ppts debriefed and consent and R2W
Trait anxiety questionnaire - general emotions
State anxiety questionnaire - how they felt in dungeon
- FREE DESCRIPTION of scary person
- CUED RECALL asking about specific details
advised not to guess
- ppts shown 9 persons line up
- ppts told there may or may not be the person they saw in the line up (don’t feel inclined)
- ppts given chance to guess and rate confidence 0-100
results
mean SA score = 49
mean TA score = 36.8
= ppts found dungeon an anxiety experience
only 17% of those who scored higher than median state anxiety (52) were able to identify
75% of those who scored lower were able to identify
evaluation
- standardised procedure
- HR monitor objective and if data match Qs then good reliability
- ppts not representative as they like thrill