Factors affecting the accuracy of EWT - Anxiety

Question 1

What are the three AO3 PEELS to evaluate anxiety as a factor affecting EWT?

Answer 1

RTC Johnson and Scotts research by Christianson and Hubinette
Discussion - extraneous variables
Yerkes Dodson Law - resolves contradiction

Question 2

P
(RTC by Christianson and Hubinette)

Answer 2

RTC Johnson and Scotts research comes from Christianson and Hubinette

Question 3

E

Answer 3

• they interviewed nearly 60 rl witnesses of a bank robbery where some had been directly threatened such as bank tellers who had high anx
• others were bystanders/customers who had low anx

Question 4

E

Answer 4

• it was found recall was more than 75% acc across all witnesses but those directly threatened were more acc

Question 5

L

Answer 5

therefore this contradicts current research that anx reduces acc of recall bc the rl life cases show that those who had high anx were able had more acc recall as they were able to focus on key aspects and successfully helped catch criminal

Question 6

P
(Discussion - extraneous variables)

Answer 6

On the other hand, C + H RTC could be criticised to have extraneous variables affecting acc of recall

Question 7

E

Answer 7

this is bc they interviewed ppts several months after event and had no control what happened to ppts bw event and interviews, so post event discussion has to be considered

Question 8

E

Answer 8

this factor couldve overwhelmed the effects of anx, so interviews may not be accurately measuring the effect of anxiety on eyewitness testimony

Question 9

L

Answer 9

therefore, lowering the extent C+H research can be used to criticise findings that anx lowers acc of EWT

Question 10

P
(Yerkes Dodson Law)

Answer 10

To evaluate anx as a factor affecting acc of EWT, the Yerkes Dodson Law can be used

Question 11

E

Answer 11

• this proposes that anx and acc of EWT is not a simple rs as diff levels of anx affect the acc of EWT
• too little or too much anx would result in poor EWT, however if you reach the optimum level, acc of EWT is high

Question 12

E

Answer 12

• this exp differences in results bw J+S and C+H research
• ppts in C+H research may have been at the optimum level of anx which resulted in a more acc EWT
• whereas ppts in J+S research may not have been as anxious as it was an exp, resulting in a less acc EWT

Question 13

L

Answer 13

therefore this resolves the contradiction and validates anx does affect EWT