Accuracy of Eyewitness Testimony: Anxiety

Question 1

What is eyewitness testimony?

Answer 1

Eyewitness testimony is the account given by people who have witnessed an event, particularly in legal contexts.

Question 2

How can anxiety affect the accuracy of eyewitness testimony?

Answer 2

Anxiety can impair memory recall, leading to inaccuracies in eyewitness testimony.

Question 3

True or False: High levels of anxiety always improve the accuracy of eyewitness memory.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Fill in the blank: The ________ effect suggests that the presence of a weapon can distract a witness and impair their memory.

Answer 4

weapon

Question 5

What is the Yerkes-Dodson Law?

Answer 5

The Yerkes-Dodson Law posits that there is an optimal level of arousal for performance, with too much or too little arousal hindering performance.

Question 6

Multiple Choice: Which study found that high anxiety negatively affected recall accuracy? A) Loftus and Palmer B) Johnson and Scott C) Yerkes and Dodson

Answer 6

B) Johnson and Scott

Question 7

What is the impact of stress on memory retrieval according to research?

Answer 7

Stress can lead to narrowed attention and impaired retrieval of memories.

Question 8

True or False: Witnesses under high anxiety are more likely to remember peripheral details.

Answer 8

False

Question 9

What did Loftus and Palmer’s research primarily investigate?

Answer 9

Loftus and Palmer investigated the effects of leading questions on the accuracy of eyewitness testimony.

Question 10

Fill in the blank: The ________ hypothesis states that moderate levels of anxiety can enhance memory recall.

Answer 10

inverted U

Question 11

What is the significance of the ‘weapon focus’ effect?

Answer 11

The ‘weapon focus’ effect refers to the tendency of witnesses to focus on a weapon during a crime, which can detract from their ability to remember other details.

Question 12

What is a common method used to study the effects of anxiety on memory?

Answer 12

Laboratory experiments simulating stressful situations.

Question 13

Multiple Choice: Which of the following can lead to increased anxiety? A) Witnessing a crime B) Being interviewed by police C) Both A and B

Answer 13

C) Both A and B

Question 14

How does anxiety influence the encoding of memories?

Answer 14

Anxiety can disrupt the encoding process, making it more difficult to store accurate memories.

Question 15

True or False: Individuals with high anxiety are less likely to give detailed eyewitness accounts.

Answer 15

True

Question 16

What role does the amygdala play in anxiety and memory?

Answer 16

The amygdala is involved in processing emotions and can influence the encoding and retrieval of emotional memories.

Question 17

What is the effect of post-event information on eyewitness testimony?

Answer 17

Post-event information can alter a witness’s memory of the event, leading to inaccuracies.

Question 18

Fill in the blank: The ________ effect describes how the wording of a question can influence a witness’s recall.

Answer 18

misinformation

Question 19

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a method to improve eyewitness testimony accuracy? A) Reducing stress B) Increasing stress C) Ignoring the witness

Answer 19

A) Reducing stress

Question 20

What is the role of cognitive interviews in eyewitness testimony?

Answer 20

Cognitive interviews are designed to improve the recall of witnesses by using specific techniques that reduce anxiety and enhance memory retrieval.

Question 21

True or False: Research indicates that anxiety has no impact on the confidence of eyewitnesses.

Answer 21

False

Question 22

What is the relationship between confidence and accuracy in eyewitness testimony?

Answer 22

High confidence does not always correlate with accuracy; witnesses can be confident yet incorrect.

Question 23

Fill in the blank: The ________ theory suggests that high anxiety can cause a tunnel effect in memory recall.

Answer 23

narrowing

Question 24

What is a limitation of laboratory studies on anxiety and eyewitness testimony?

Answer 24

Laboratory studies may lack ecological validity
They also may not accurately represent real-life situations.

Question 25

Multiple Choice: Which factor has been shown to negatively impact memory recall in witnesses? A) Time B) Stress C) Both A and B

Answer 25

C) Both A and B

Question 26

True or False: Witnesses are more accurate when recalling events that they have witnessed from a distance.

Answer 26

False

Question 27

What is the role of the hippocampus in memory?

Answer 27

The hippocampus is crucial for the formation of new memories and the retrieval of past experiences.

Question 28

Fill in the blank: High levels of ________ can lead to memory distortion.

Answer 28

stress

Question 29

What is the primary focus of the misinformation effect?

Answer 29

The misinformation effect focuses on how incorrect information presented after an event can alter a person's memory of that event.

Question 30

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a factor affecting eyewitness testimony? A) Anxiety B) Age C) Weather conditions

Answer 30

C) Weather conditions

Question 31

True or False: Witnesses are equally reliable regardless of their emotional state.

Answer 31

False

Question 32

What is an example of a situational factor that can affect eyewitness accuracy?

Answer 32

Lighting conditions at the time of the event.

Question 33

Fill in the blank: The ________ effect occurs when a witness's memory is altered by misleading information.

Answer 33

misinformation

Question 34

What is the significance of the 'cross-race effect' in eyewitness testimony?

Answer 34

The cross-race effect refers to the tendency for people to more accurately recognize faces of their own race compared to those of other races.

Question 35

Multiple Choice: Which statement is true regarding anxiety and memory? A) Anxiety enhances all types of memory B) Anxiety primarily affects memory retrieval C) Anxiety has no effect on memory

Answer 35

B) Anxiety primarily affects memory retrieval

Question 36

True or False: The presence of an eyewitness can significantly influence jury decisions.

Answer 36

True

Question 37

What is the impact of time delay on eyewitness memory?

Answer 37

Time delay can lead to memory decay and increased susceptibility to misinformation.

Question 38

Fill in the blank: Witnesses who experience ________ are less likely to provide accurate descriptions.

Answer 38

high anxiety

Question 39

What does the term 'cognitive load' refer to in the context of eyewitness memory?

Answer 39

Cognitive load refers to the amount of mental effort being used in the working memory, which can affect recall ability.

Question 40

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a technique to enhance eyewitness memory retrieval? A) Hypnosis B) Cognitive interviews C) Both A and B

Answer 40

B) Cognitive interviews

Question 41

True or False: Emotional arousal can enhance memory for central details but impair memory for peripheral details.

Answer 41

True

Question 42

What is the role of the prefrontal cortex in memory and anxiety?

Answer 42

The prefrontal cortex is involved in decision-making and moderating social behavior, which can be impacted by anxiety.

Question 43

Fill in the blank: The ________ effect suggests that witnesses are less accurate when recalling details of a crime if they are under emotional stress.

Answer 43

stress

Question 44

What is the primary concern regarding the reliability of eyewitness testimony in the legal system?

Answer 44

Eyewitness testimony can be influenced by various factors, leading to misidentifications and wrongful convictions.

Question 45

Multiple Choice: Which factor is most likely to lead to memory distortion? A) Time B) Stress C) Both A and B

Answer 45

C) Both A and B

Question 46

True or False: Witnesses tend to have better recall when they are interviewed immediately after an event.

Answer 46

True

Question 47

What is the significance of the 'reconstructive memory' theory?

Answer 47

Reconstructive memory theory suggests that memories are not static but can be altered during recall, influenced by various factors.

Question 48

Fill in the blank: The ________ hypothesis posits that memory recall is best at moderate levels of anxiety.

Answer 48

inverted U

Question 49

What is the effect of group discussions on eyewitness memory?

Answer 49

Group discussions can lead to conformity effects, where individuals alter their memories to match those of the group.

Question 50

Multiple Choice: Which of the following can enhance memory recall in witnesses? A) Stress B) Relaxation C) Confusion

Answer 50

B) Relaxation

Question 51

True or False: The accuracy of eyewitness testimony is unaffected by the passage of time.

Answer 51

False

Question 52

What is the potential consequence of eyewitness misidentification?

Answer 52

Eyewitness misidentification can lead to wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice.

Question 53

Fill in the blank: Witnesses under ________ are more vulnerable to suggestion.

Answer 53

stress

Question 54

What is the primary aim of research into eyewitness testimony and anxiety?

Answer 54

To understand how anxiety affects memory accuracy and to improve legal processes.

Question 55

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a common misconception about eyewitness testimony? A) It is always reliable B) It can be influenced by stress C) Both A and B

Answer 55

A) It is always reliable

Question 56

True or False: Witnesses are less likely to misremember details if they are interviewed shortly after the event.

Answer 56

True

Question 57

What is the significance of the 'post-event discussion' effect?

Answer 57

Post-event discussion can lead to contamination of memories, altering a witness's recollection of the event.

Question 58

Fill in the blank: The ________ effect refers to the tendency for witnesses to remember more details about the central aspects of a crime than peripheral ones.

Answer 58

central

Question 59

What is the impact of age on eyewitness testimony accuracy?

Answer 59

Younger and older adults may have different recall abilities, with older adults often showing less accuracy.

Question 60

Multiple Choice: Which of the following strategies can improve the accuracy of eyewitness testimony? A) Using neutral questions B) Asking leading questions C) Ignoring the witness

Answer 60

A) Using neutral questions

Question 61

True or False: Eyewitness testimony is always considered credible in court.

Answer 61

False

Question 62

What is the 'cognitive interview' technique?

Answer 62

The cognitive interview technique is designed to help witnesses retrieve more accurate and detailed memories by reducing anxiety and using specific questioning techniques.

Question 63

Fill in the blank: The ________ effect indicates that eyewitness memory can be influenced by the way questions are framed.

Answer 63

framing

Question 64

What is the relationship between anxiety and decision-making in eyewitnesses?

Answer 64

High anxiety can impair decision-making, leading to poor identifications and choices.

Question 65

Multiple Choice: Which of the following describes a factor that can enhance memory retrieval? A) High stress B) Relaxation C) Distraction

Answer 65

B) Relaxation