⚪️ Memory - Eyewitness Testimony & Anxiety

Question 1

What is the effect of crime on EW

Answer 1

Crimes often cause anxiety in witnesses, fight or flight response is activated meaning hr is increased and adrenaline

Question 2

What is the weapons focus effect

Answer 2

The tendency to focus on threatening stimuli and it can lead to reduced attention on other details. It may impair memory of perpetrators appearance

Question 3

What is the Yerkes - Dodson Law-anxiety and how does it affect EWT

Answer 3

• performance improves with an increase arousal up to a certain point and then decreases with further arousal
• little arousal or too much arousal my decrease the accuracy of recall

Question 4

Method of Johnson and Scott study (1976)

Answer 4

• in both conditions Ps heard a discussion in an adjoining room
• in the no weapon group, the individual left the lab (after talking) with a pen in hand and his hands covered in grease
• in the weapon group the participants heard an altercation and the sound of breaking glass and chairs falling then an individual running into reception holding a blood knife and blood
• both groups then showed 50 photos and asked to identify the person who had left the lab

Question 5

Results of Johnson and Scott (1976)

Answer 5

• two conditions (low anxiety pen) (high anxiety knife)
• results : 49% recall in low anxiety and 33% in high anxiety
• suggests anxiety may negatively impact recall

Question 6

3 reasons anxiety has a positive impact on EWT

Answer 6

1. Fight or flight response may increase alertness
2. Heightened awareness of surroundings
3. Emotionally arousing events may create stronger memories

Question 7

Study which shows positive effect of anxiety

Answer 7

Yuille and Cutshall (1986), other flash card

• 93% accuracy for highly distressed witnesses

Question 8

Christiansen and Hubinette study (1993)

Answer 8

• examined 22 real bank robberies
• no evidence of high arousal negatively impacting recall
• accurate recall memories 4-15 months later
• supports idea that emotional events are well remembered

Question 9

Positive of the real life studies

Answer 9

Higher ecological validity

Question 10

Limitations of real life studies

Answer 10

• lack of control over extraneous variables
• possible influence of post event discussion
• media reports may affect memory
• proximity to crime scene as a potential factor

Question 11

Conclusion of anxiety effect of EWT

Answer 11

• anxiety’s impact on EWT is complex
• real life studies suggest possible memory