Accuracy of eyewitness testimony: Anxiety Flashcards
What is anxiety?
An unpleasant emotional state of extreme worry
What effect does anxiety have on accuracy?
It decreases accuracy
Who conducted a study on the effects of anxiety on EWT?
Johnson and Scott
What is the weapon focus effect?
The view that a weapon in a criminal’s hand distracts attention due to the anxiety it causes
Outline the procedure of Johnson and Scott’s study.
Participants sat in a waiting room where they overheard an argument in another room, and then a man ran through carrying either a greasy pen or a bloody knife. They were later asked to identify the man
What was the high anxiety condition of Johnson and Scott’s study?
The bloody knife
What was the low anxiety condition of Johnson and Scott’s study?
The greasy pen
What did Johnson and Scott’s findings support?
The weapon focus effect
What was the mean recall accuracy in Johnson and Scott’s high anxiety condition?
49%
What was the mean recall accuracy in Johnson and Scott’s low anxiety condition?
33%
What did Loftus find regarding the weapon focus effect?
Using eye tracking technology, they found that in the presence of a weapon, the eyewitness would usually focus on the weapon
Who found support for anxiety having a positive effect on the accuracy of recall?
Christianson and Hubinette
Who did Christianson and Hubinette interview?
58 real life Swedish bank robbery witnesses
Who were the high anxiety witnesses in Christianson and Hubinette’s study?
Victims, such as bank tellers
Who were the low anxiety witnesses in Christianson and Hubinette’s study?
Bystanders, such as customers
How long after the robberies did Christianson and Hubinette conduct their interviews?
4-15 months