Criminal psychology Flashcards
How does CBT work
Gives offenders an insight into faulty cognitions and identify maladaptive thinking.
Aims to change faulty cognition to change criminal behaviour to prosocial behaviour
What are the three stages of Anger management
Cognitive preparation
Skill acquisition
Application practice
What is cognitive preparation in AMP
Getting offenders to think about their aggression
Think about their patterns of anger (when, why) and the impact of their anger
Often asked to keep an anger diary on what happened and why it happened
What is skill acquisition in AMP
Learn skills to help manage your anger
Can be behavioural: Meditation, breathing, Redirecting anger (through things like sport) and removal from situation
Can be Cognitive like imagery or mantra - say things over and over
What is application practice in AMP
Offender puts the learned skills into practice
Done in a controlled environment so offender feels safe and can be talked through
Role play in group settings
‘Homework’ - Practice skills are recorded in anger diary
3 strengths of AMP
- Howells - improved understanding of anger 1.18 compared to control group 0.95 also after AMP anger control mean 20.7 to 22.2
- Ireland - 92% of 50 young offenders showed improvement and reduction in anger felt
- Long term benefits - teaches to control anger long term in everyday life whereas have to be on drugs all life
3 weaknesses of AMP
Issues with supporting research - Howells found that it had little to no effect after 6 months so not long term
Cannot treat all offenders - 2022 prison stats showed 69% weren’t violent offenders so doesn’t treat them
Reductionist - only considers role of cognition and not other factors like hormones e.g. testosterone
Generally how would hormone therapy work to reduce criminal behaviour
Drugs work by counterbalancing hormones responsible for criminal behaviour in the offenders body
A forensic psychologist will prescribe a suitable dosage which they will likely take daily either orally (self-regulated) or via injection (monitored)
Risperidone - hormone treatment
Influences dopamine levels by blocking dopamine receptors which reduces dopamine activity in the body leading to a decrease in criminal behaviour - LeBlanc et al
Potential side effects of Drowsiness, anxiety, weight gain
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) - hormone treatment
Influences serotonin as it block serotonin reuptake which increases serotonin activity at receptors which reduces levels of criminal behaviour - Lievesley et al
Potential side effects of dizziness, diarrhoea, loss of sex drive
Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) - hormone treatment
Is similar to the progesterone in the body and is given when body isn’t making enough of it
Influences testosterone as it increases progesterone levels which breaks down testosterone produced in pituitary gland which reduces criminal behaviour - Maletzky
Potential side effects of insomnia. acne, depression
3 Strengths of hormone treatment of offenders
LeBlanc et al - Adolescent boys diagnosed with conduct or oppositional disorder who took risperidone experienced 56.4% reduced aggressive behaviour compared to control
Lievesley et al - Semi structured interviews with 13 sex offenders on SSRI found reduced sexual urges and sexually deviant thinking
Maletzky - When sexual offenders took MPA over 3 years, reoffending rates were 1% so is effective at reducing recidivism
3 weaknesses of hormone treatment
Opposing evidence - Couppis and Kennedy found dopamine may be a consequence of aggressive behaviour rather than a cause. T/F treating high dopamine is not addressing the cause
Reductionist - Only considers role of biology and hormone levels like test and doesn’t consider role of cognition and changing faulty cognition via AMP
How does the Pre-frontal cortex link to criminal behaviour
If its damaged they have less control over impulses and act instinctively so could lead to CB
Responsible for decision making - damage may cause poor decisions and act inappropriately (CB)
Damage effects ability to consider consequences and alternative ways to behave, can lead to CB
How does the amygdala link to criminal behaviour
Responsible for responding to stimuli in environment, may trigger F/F. Fight may be triggered causing CB
When activated overrides rational part of brain so act irrational and perceive everything as threat, lead to CB
Damage leads to less emotion control may cause CB as aggressive outbursts cant be controlled or stopped
Psychopaths have been found to have small amygdala meaning they cant feel bad.
How does the hypothalamus link to criminal behaviour
Maintains homeostasis and regulates hormones
Damage may be unable to regulate testosterone, increased CB
Regulates release of NTs - high level of dopamine are linked to high levels of aggression which leads to CB
3 strengths of brain damage explaining CB
Case study of Phineas Gage - Metal pole through PFC, changed from well mannered to being aggressive
Raine - Found difference in brain activity between murderers NGRI and non murderers. More in right side amygdala and hypothalamus and less in PFC and left amygdala
Supporting research is scientific - Raine used PET scans which is requires specialist equipment and workers
3 weaknesses of brain damage explaining CB
Fallon - Scanned individuals using MRI and identified one with small amygdala as psychopathic. Later found it was his own brain. TF smaller amygdala doesn’t cause CB so decrease validity
Kreutzer - found without the presence of substance abuse history, traumatic brain injury was not a risk factor for CB. TF reductionist as doesn’t consider things other than brain damage
Reductionist - only considers nature of brain activity and damage and not nurture like social factors like imitating crim role model.
What is Eysenks personality theory
Criminal behaviour is a consequence of our genetic personality
Criminals tend to score high on a PEN personality
Particular nervous system causes a predisposition to criminality
However environment plays a role as interaction between environment and genetics causes predisposition leading to CB
Psychoticism
Less clear on how P is related to functionality of nervous system. Suggested link to male hormones like testosterone but little research to suggest it
Less likely to show empathy and care for others or their emotions causing no remorse or guilt for CB
Extravert
RAS regulates arousal. So person seeks external stimulation to readdress balance and reach optimal arousal. Low levels arousal means more stimulation from environment needed
Need for stimulation so risk take more to reach higher arousal lead to CB.
Neurotic
Linked to levels of reactivity in ANS. Neurotic has it more reactive specifically the sympathetic brain responsible for fight or flight. Quick to turn on and release adrenaline and slow to turn off.
‘Fight response’ easily triggered, output emotional outburst leads to CB on impulse
3 strengths of PEN
Practical applications - PEN could be used to identify individuals that may be at risk of committing crime so cautions can be put in place especially if identified in childhood. TF aid reducing crim in society
Holistic - Genetic predisposition interacts with environment in high PEN and that’s what triggers nervous system. TF nature and nurture so considers the complexity
Eysenck - compared the Eysenck personality inventory with prisoners and non criminals where criminals scored higher on PEN
3 weaknesses of PEN
Farrington - reviewed 16 studies of relationship of P,E and N and found majority of cases offenders had high P+N not E. TF reducing validity
Self completed questionnaire - EPI given to criminals who may answer in a socially desirable way so not to blame could reduce sentence decreasing validity.
Hollin - notes a similar pattern of findings where offenders generally show higher P&N scores but not E. Tf theory not completely valid
What is XYY syndrome
Genetic condition that occurs when a male has an extra Y chromosome within the 23rd pair.
Many men with it don’t know they have it
Most boys with it will grow faster and taller than their siblings as well as some having around 10-15 lower IQ points below siblings.
They will be more impulsive and more physically active. Also leads to overly aggressive and lack empathy.
3 strengths of XYY syndrome
Practical application - In knowing XYY are more physically active we could direct them sport so energy is socially acceptable. TF reduce CB in society and society safe place
Gosavi - 94 convicted murderers in India and found association between CB and XYY. TF suggesting theory is valid as mutation is found within criminals.
Briken - found 3 out of 13 sex offenders that were analysed for XYY had it. TF increasing validity of XYY as mutation found in sex offenders
3 weaknesses of XYY syndrome
Reductionist - Only considers role of nature and chromosomes not nurture like O+I criminal role models. TF too simplistic
Witkin - No direct link between crim and XYY once background variables were controlled among 4591 Danish men. TF reduced validity of theory so XYY is not solely responsible.
Re & Birkhoff - reviewed evidence gathered over 50 years about XYY concluding no direct link between it and crime. TF reducing validity as other factors must be responsible for CB
What is the labelling theory
Theory suggests that behaviour is seen as criminal as society says it is by creating a label to a behaviour. Expectations that others have of someone and labelling occurs when general broad terms are used to describe members of a group.
What is SPATSS May Follow
Stereotypes
Power structure
Ascribed
Treated
Stigmatized
Self image
Marginalised
Fulfil the label
Stereotypes, Power structure, ascribed
Society creates a criminal/deviant label to a particular behaviour based on stereotypes
Authorities are maintaining their power structure in society
Deviant behaviour is shown by individual and label is ascribed to them.
Treated, stigmatized, self image
Individual may be treated according to that deviant label
Lead to individual becoming stigmatized within society
Individual believes label and have low self image of themselves
Marginalised, fulfil the label
Others treat them based on label. They feel marginalised within society
Lead to the individual to fulfil the label and commit more criminal behaviour
3 strengths of labelling theory
Liebermann - found previously arrested juveniles were more likely to commit other crimes compared to non previously arrested ones. TF criminal label leads to CB increasing validity
Practical application - Knowing deviant labels lead to fulfilling them we should educate society such as in education to avoid giving labels. TF reducing CB and recidivism
Chambliss - found roughnecks were more likely to be labelled deviant by police and were more likely to have legal action against them where saints were not, supporting labelling is part of power structure.
3 weaknesses of labelling theory
Unscientific - difficult to experimentally research it. Hard to isolate labelling on its own and set an experiment where some p’s are labelled and some aren’t. TF cant establish cause and effect
Reductionist - only role of nurture that society gives you a crim label doesn’t consider nature e.g. Raine et al found… . TF too simplistic
Unethical - unethical to give a group of P’s a false label as it could damage their self esteem. TF decreasing validity
First stage of self fulfilling prophecy
Prophecy is set - deviant label is given to you by other people. This can due to stereotypes people have and beliefs about the person
Second stage of self fulfilling prophecy
Once the label has been given other people will then behave towards the person according to that deviant label.
Third stage of self fulfilling prophecy
Once the label has been given to the individual and they are being treated in a deviant way, person internalises the label and begins to change their beliefs about them based on the deviant label
Fourth stage of self fulfilling prophecy
Once they have internalised the deviant label they will then behave according to the deviant label so the prophecy is fulfilled.
3 strengths of self fulfilling prophecy
Practical applications - Knowing deviant labels lead to fulfilling them we should educate society such as in education to avoid giving labels. TF reducing CB and recidivism
Rosenthal and Jacobson - students labelled as bloomers had improved IQ and thrived for 2 years compared to others in class. TF label given can change behaviour so criminal one can do as well
Madon - parents who overestimated their childs alcohol use showed positive correlation to actual alcohol use a year later. TF belief about someone can change their behaviour causing them to fulfill prophecy and show criminal behaviour
3 weaknesses of self fulfilling prophecy
Reductionist - only role of nurture where person internalises and fulfils criminal label and not nature like brain damage e.g. raine found… . TF too simplistic
Correlational research - Only a relationship between 2 co variables of giving crim label and acting as criminal cant say one causes other as other factors could effect. TF cant establish cause and effect
Unethical - unethical to give a group of P’s a false label as it could damage their self esteem. TF decreasing validity
Explain a psych formation (4)
Psych formation aims to generate a hypothesis of whats led to someones CB and why they continue to commit a crime
PF should be short and focus on key features such as personal relationships, personality and personal history
PF aims to find patterns in behaviour and apply psych knowledge to explain the patterns of crime
PF’s often part of court process to judge mental capacity of criminal and help with type of sentencing if they reoffend.
3 strengths of psych formations
Ghaderi - found a PF can be effective in predicting effective treatments for different criminals. TF reduce recidivism rates increasing validity
Beneficial for treatment purposes - Looking at individual and recommending specific treatments just for them based solely on their experiences and patterns. TF increased reliability
Accounts for individual differences - unique to criminals based on specific childhood traumas and relationships to help treat them. Tf increasing validity to reduce recidivism
3 weaknesses of psych formations
Reductionist - Oversimplifies complex CB looking only at experiences and relationships not biology. TF treatments not effective as too simplistic view.
Schulte - found that formulation based therapy was less effective than flooding. TF decreasing validity of PF as flooding can be used
Subject to bias - one psychologist will see one part such as past relationships more important but another may think childhood trauma is. TF reduced reliability
What are the 4 ethical principles for understanding psych formations
- Act in best interest of criminal
- Maintain records appropriately
- Quality of practice
- Work and communicate effectively with others
Define a case study (4)
An in depth detailed investigation conducted on an individual criminal or small group or institution of criminals.
Use range of methods by triangulations to study criminal response to treatments using both quant and qual such as observations, brain scans and interviews.
Often longitudinal as stay with criminal over a long period of time to see changes in offending and see if treatments reduce CB.
Collect primary and secondary data such as observations of their behaviour as secondary such as crim record from police.
Aim of Howells
See whether AMP is more effective in producing change than no treatment for violent offenders.
What is the sample of Howells
418 male participants mean age 28.8 who were referred to AMP in South and Western Australia
73% had not completed AMP before
What is the procedure of Howells
285 completed the post intervention assessment with 78 completing 2 month follow up
Control ample selected from P’s who were waiting list for AMP
Offender attended programmes that lasted approximately 20 hours
Used Novacos framework
Number of measures taken before after treatment and 2 months later: Self report questionnaire measured anger (novaco anger scale)
Staff also completed observational rating scale for each p’pant recorded how much anger they could see.
What were the findings of Howells
Improved understanding of anger, experimental group mean 1.18 compared to control 0.95, also found after AMP moree control over anger mean 20.7 to 22.2.
Conclusion of Howells
Offenders who were motivated to change showed greatest improvements and those who lacked it showed less or no change
AMP is useful in educational sense but not overall for reducing aggression
3 strengths of Howells
Mundane realism - 418 male p’pants already referred to AMP before being sampled. TF task of doing AMP is realistic to their everyday life increasing generalisability
Standardised Framework - used CBT principles based on Novacos frameworks including relaxation techniques and relapse prevention meant they all received same content. TF increasing reliability of AMP in producing change within violent offenders.
Objective data - quant data found on effectiveness of AMP such as greater improvement in anger knowledge mean change 1.8 compared to control group 0.95
3 weaknesses of Howells
Pop validity - 418 males all referred to AMP in South western Australia meaning ethnocentric and androcentric. TF unrepresentative cant be generalised beyond.
Cause and effect - Manipulation of IV (AMP) we cant be sure caused change in DV (aggression) may have been due to extraneous variables such as others in prison. TF no cause and effect decrease validity of AMP.
Self report data - at end of treatment at 2 and 6 months p’pants completed self report questionnaires where they may lie to seem better to get out of prison. TF lacks validity
Aim of Maletzky
Review sexual offenders who have been treated using MPA to establish how effective MPA is in treating offenders.
Sample of Maletzky
Retrospective chart review was undertaken of 5132 sexual offenders enrolled in a private practice sexual abuse clinic.
First 100 cases given MPA were selected and 100 offenders who weren’t given MPA were used a s a control group matched on age and marital and employment status
Procedure of Maletzky
Patients first reviewed potential side effects and signed a consent form
Patients received MPA via injection averaging 250 mg every 2 weeks
All patients within experimental and control group received combos of behavioural, cognitive, group and family therapy.
Data was collected on re-offense rate while receiving the medication and up to 36 months after treatment starts. Re-offense was determined from patient and significant other open ended questionnaires and interviews.
Findings of Maletzky
Over 3 year period 1% of MPA patients reoffended when receiving the drug.
Control group: 2 reoffended within 4.5 months and over a 3 year span 4 more reoffended so 6 reoffenders overall 6%.
Conclusion of Maletzky
MPA is effective to use with certain sexual offenders enrolled in community based treatment programs as it reduces sexual drive in men without side effects.
3 strengths of Maletzky
Ecological validity - received MPA in every day setting of sexual abuse clinic so behaviour is naturally occurring. TF findings of MPA being an effective treatment of sexual offenders
Practical applications - Findings showed sexual offenders benefit from the treatment especially those with hypersexual behaviours and poor sexual impulse control. TF practitioners can target these offenders to reduce recidivism rates
Objective data - retrospective chart review gathered quant data such as reoffending rates and number of victims. TF finding of 1% of MPA patients reoffended is objective increasing validity
3 weaknesses of Maletzky
Pop validity - 100 sexual offenders all male who had enrolled in a private sexual abuse clinic in America so its andro and ethnocentric. TF cant generalise and unrepresentative.
Cause and effect - reported low levels of sexual arousal and reoffending as they didn’t want to go back to prison so cant be sure its the manipulation of IV - drug causing change in DV. TF cant establish cause and effect decreasing validity.
Participant variables - 2 groups matched on age marital and employment status but still different p’pants in each condition meaning reduced sexual drives may be due to p’pant variables. TF cause and effect cant be established
What are the 4 main techniques used in the cognitive interview
Reinstate the context at the time of the event
Report everything
Change the order in which the event is recalled
Change perspective
Reinstate the context at the time of the event
Witness should recall cues from the environment and how they felt about it
Taken back to place or shown images to maximise environmental and internal cues
Report everything
Free recall - not interupted
Asked to report everything as small a detail as it maybe
Hopefully will maximise accurate recall
No questions asked
Change the order in which the event is recalled
Police may ask witness to recall chronologically, then backwards then from a certain point to maximise cues
Change perspective
Interviewer asks witness to recall event from different viewpoints e.g. victims perspective to maximise cues
3 strengths of cog interview
Geiselman - P’pants who had watched violent films and who were then interviewed 48 hours later were more likely to remember more correct items than a standard interview. TF increasing accuracy of EWT by using cog interview so increased validity
Fisher - detectives gained up to 47% more useful info from witnesses to real crimes compared to standard. TF …
Holliday - found cognitive interviews were more effective than standard interviews when interviewing children
TF suggesting cog interview increases accuracy of EWT so more reliable and valid for all 3
3 weaknesses of cog interview
Geiselman - cog interview led to slightly more incorrect items being recalled so may be less effective than standard. TF could lead to inaccurate testimonies
Practical issues - Police need to be trained which takes time and money. Often if suspect in custody only have them for a limited time period. TF reducing usefulness of CI
Kebbell and Wagstaff - found police officers did not use CI technique in less serious crimes as lack of time. CI may produce vast information but may not always be practical or helpful in terms of allocating the police to efficiently investigate incidents. TF decreases usefulness of CI’s as tool to improve
Aim of Loftus and Palmer
Investigate how info provided to a witness after an event will influence their memory of the event.
Sample of Loftus and Palmer
45 students from america
Procedure of Loftus and Palmer
45 students shown 7 short film clips of car crashes.
After each clip they had to give an account of the accident and were given a questionnaire on it.
All same questions apart from 1 critical question. How fast was the car going when they “ hit, smashes, bumped, collided or contacted”
Findings of Loftus and Palmer
Smashed - 40.5mph
Collided - 39.3mph
Bumped - 38.1mph
Hit - 34mph
Contacted - 31.8mph
Conclusions of Loftus and Palmer
A change of word could significantly affect a witnesses’ answer to a question either because of response bias or because of memory is altered.
3 strengths of Loftus and Palmer
Standardised procedure - all 45 participants received same questions, clips apart from the critical word. TF reliable
Practical application - A change of word could significantly affect a witnesses’ answer so decreased validity of EWT
Cause and effect - Conducted in highly controlled setting of a Lab in Washington allows extraneous variables to be controlled such as the
situational variable of background noise. TF manipulation of IV led to change in DV Increasing the internal validity of the EW research
3 weaknesses of Loftus and Palmer
Pop validity - 45 Americans
Eco validity - highly controlled artificial setting
Demand characteristics - highly controlled artificial setting lab setting so students may guess aim and changed answers. TF reducing validity
Ethical interview
The UK follows the PEACE model, when conducting an ethical interview.
P – Planning and preparation: Aims, objectives, required outcomes, topics of interest & some questions to be asked are noted prior. Where and when the interview will take place is decided.
E – Engage and explain: Rapport is built between the interviewer and the suspect. Interviewer explains how the interview will take place.
A – Account: Suspect gives description of their behaviour in the event that is being investigated. 3 steps in conversation management:
1. The suspect agenda – Suspect speak in their own words without interruption.
2. The police agenda – issues that the suspect did not cover but are of police interest can be explored here.
3. The challenge phase – Explore any inconsistencies or inaccuracies that came up in earlier stages.
C – Closure: This is about bringing the interview to a good conclusion, and maintaining rapport. The aim is to avoid anxiety or anger as the interview ends.
E – Evaluate: Interviews should be evaluated against the required aims to look at the material obtained.
3 strengths of ethical interviews
Kebbell et al - found ethical interviews were more effective than others at getting a confession from sex offenders. TF suggesting ethical interview is effective at improving reliability of EWT
Roberts - found using ethical interviewing techniques improved reliability of info that was gathered during interview. TF suggesting ethical interview is effective at improving reliability of EWT
Ethics - As ethical interview avoids techniques such as intimidation and interegation, there is less pressure on the interviewee to give answers to void a particular situation or punishment. TF decrease psych distress increasing validity
3 weaknesses of Ethical interview
Walsh & Milne - found evidence that the PEACE model is not always used fully. Found of 99 audiotapes of interviews that were analysed, there was not much evidence of planning, little rapport, little focus on points which needed proof and not enough summarising. TF suggests EI not used properly so doesn’t improve reliability.
Other techniques available - Srandard interview is less time consuming and expensive meaning it can be completed more frequently and easier
Practical issues - specialist training required for police and takes long time to conduct. TF suspect may be held in custody for limited time and you need the info fast before they released reducing usefulness
What are the AO1 points for SLT
What it is and A
R and R
M and vicarious reinforcement
3 strengths of SLT
Supported by Bandura 61
Practical applications - use of big brother schemes
Farrington - 4% of 400 families accounted for 50% of convictions of all family members so family members must have O+I each other. TF suggesting CB is learned by O+I increasing validity
3 weaknesses of SLT
Pop validity of Bandura - small sample of 3-5 year olds from
Reductionist
Farrington However - findings can be explained by genetics like XYY or MAOA being passed down. TF too simplistic not accounting for everything
Weapon focus AO1
Presence of weapon decreases witnesses ability to remember details about event
Attention and focus goes towards weapon and away from other aspects of scene so witnesses are unable to correctly identify a suspect in a lineup due to weapon focus
2 possible reasons for weapon focus being stress from the weapon or attention on weapon as not normal in culture
3 strengths of weapon focus
Loftus - showed series of slides of customer in restaurant either holding gun or chequebook. Gun version focussed more on gun so less accurate at identifying the customer. TF supporting …
Fawcett - Meta analysis found weapon focus has negative effect on memory as p’s less likely to pick out suspect from lineup
Steblay - reviewed 19 tests found when weapon present lower accuracy when asked to identify perpetrator
3 weaknesses of weapon focus
Pickel - unusualness of weapon rather than presence of weapon that distorted recall, items highly unusual remembered more than more usual. TF opposes idea of… and that its unusualness instead
Erikson - p’pants less able to correctly identify suspect from photo of bar if holding a gun or chicken rather than empty glass. TF unusualness of object causing distorted recall
Supporting research is lab setting - no natural or every day crime setting. TF cant be generalised and unrepresentative
Post event info AO1
- Other witnesses - misled recollection due to differing info given
- Leading questions
- Media
3 strengths of post event info
Loftus et al (1978) p’pants watched a car accident at a junction where there was a stop sign. Those that were asked about ‘yield’ sign were much more likely to recall ‘yield’ sign, but those asked about stop sign correctly recalled stop sign. TF increasing validity of PEI
Loftus & Pickell - did an experiment where they tried to create false childhood memories. The Ps read 4 stories and recalled what they remembered about each event. They could write that they did not remember the event if they could not recall it. They found that 29% of the participants falsely recalled that they had been lost in a shopping mall.
Loftus and Palmer - concluded a change of word could significantly affect a witnesses answer due to response bias or memory altered. Tf supporting idea that PEI leads to distorted recall
3 weaknesses of post event info
Yuille and Cutshall’s - found there was no statistically significant difference between 2 groups where 1 received post event info an the other didn’t.
Loftus - found if there was time between the viewing of the film and being asked questions about what they had seen, Participants were even more open to the misinformation effect and more likely to change their memories to include the misinformation. TF its time causing memory to distort rather than PEI
Reductionist - only considers factors like being told and presented with new information and doesn’t consider biology like having low capacity of STM. TF too simplistic
Witness factors AO1
Level of stress or arousal that witness is under when witnessing an event may cause witness to remember or not remember event well
Yerkes-Dobson law says our performance is impaired when we are both too aroused/stressed or not aroused/stressed enough
Flashbulb memories are events that have high emotion impact on us and are likely to be clear and accurate many years later
3 strengths of witness factors
Clifford & Scott - witnesses to violent incidents generally recall less than witnesses to non-violent incidents. One film included a physical assault. Participants who viewed this film were less likely to identify people involved than those who had viewed the non-violent film.
Clifford & Hollin - found the higher the level of violence shown, the poorer participants’ recall of an assault. TF supporting the idea increased stress levels leads to lower reliability of EWT
Can explain the effects of PTSD experienced by some eyewitnesses - people with PTSD experience vivid images for prolonged periods of time due to the high stress of what they had seen. Yerkes-Dodson Law can illustrate how eyewitnesses with PTSD might not be the most accurate, high levels of stress impairing memory. TF psychological knowledge has practical benefits to society.
3 weaknesses of witness factors
Yuille & Cutshall’s - watched highly stressful situation of IRL gunpoint robbery and didn’t lead to distorted recall. TF opposing idea high stress leads to inaccurate EWT
Hirst et al - investigated the flashbulb memories of the 9/11 New York terrorist attack and have shown that our memories of these events will stay accurate for a period of time, but as with other memories, the accuracy of our recall fades with time.
Difficulties with researching stress and arousal - In some studies, arousal may have been caused by anxiety or fear whilst in others it may come from a state of increased alertness or attention. TF unless a common definition of ‘stress’ or ‘arousal’ is used; these ambiguous terms reduce the scientific credibility of the subject
Yuille and Cutshall research
EWT reliable as witnesses to real crime werent affected by post event info
Witnesses viewed real life crime where crime hppened so a natural setting for crime. Manipulated IV - where they viewed crime: from building, passing car or street so field experiment
Shows Post-event info not a factor influencing reliability of EWT as had little effect on answers - No stat sig difference between accuracy of 2 groups
Lab experiments to investigate EWT AO1
EW placed in highly controlled artificial lab setting for EWT research
Researcher will manipulate IV, could be if it was a leading question or not, to measure change in DV, reliability of EWT
Researcher will control all extraneous variables like ensuring room isn’t too hot which would impact EW thinking
Aim is to establish cause and effect and can be done due to lab setting and EV’s controlled
Everyone will go through same procedure as highly controlled
Randomly allocated
Field experiments to investigate EWT AO1
EW placed in a natural setting of p’pants every day life for EWT research
Researcher will manipulate IV, could be if it was a leading question or not, to measure change in DV, reliability of EWT
Researcher tries to but is not able to control all extraneous variables like distractions in the area which would impact EW thinking
Cannot establish cause as all EV’s cannot be controlled
Everyone may go through different procedure as EV’s not controlled
Randomly allocated
Lab experiments to investigate EWT 2 strengths
Cause and effect
Standardised procedure
Lab experiments to investigate EWT 2 weaknesses
Ecological validity
Mundane realism - EWT for crime shown on TV or videos is not an everyday task
Field experiments to investigate EWT 2 strengths
Ecological validity - natural environment where crime would normally take place
Mundane realism - likely to be similar to what real EW’s do in everyday life such as seeing crime then answering questions
Field experiments to investigate EWT 2 weaknesses
Cause and effect
Standardised procedure
