CONTEMPORARY STUDY (VALENTINE AND MESOUT) - 2009

Question 1

Evaluate Valentine and Mesout

3

Answer 1

^Anxiety improve EW recall, >external reliability. Christianson and Hubinette interviewed witnesses of 22 real life bank robberies, found witnesses who were threatened/attacked (^anxiety) = ^accurate in recall

^Control, ^int validity. Pre-test to test validity of SAI by correlating pre-test heart rate (objective measure) in Labyrinth w self report of anxiety (subjective). 2 measures = v similar, valid. Time in Labyrinth = standardised (45mins)

^Ethical, despite >consent at beginning. Ppt freely chose to involve themselves in scary experience, w/out coercion of researchers. Later gave retrospective consent after 1st phase, also offered right to withdraw

Question 2

What was Valentine and Mesout’s aim?

1

Answer 2

• To resolve issues with studying EWT under lab conditions, doesn’t reflect anxiety of real life situations

Question 3

What was Valentine and Mesout’s procedure?

7

Answer 3

• 56Ppts tested in Labyrinth, visitors experience series of scary events, inc ‘scary person’ who’d block people from passing
• Pre-test = Labyrinth induced anxiety, ^heart rate
• Visit in fixed order of events, took 45mins each time
  Completed 3 questionnaires for cheaper tickets:
• TAI measured their typical state of anxiety
• SAI how they felt in Labyrinth
• Memory questionnaire tested recall of scary person
• Asked to identify scary person from 9 photos

Question 4

What did Valentine and Mesout find?

1

Answer 4

• Strong -correlation between anxiety state and correct recall of person encountered under stress

Question 5

What did Valentine and Mesout conclude?

1

Answer 5

• Accurate EWT impaired by anxiety