psychologists tend to believe that small increases in anxiety and arousal may
increase the accuracy of memory
psychologists also believe that high levels of anxiety and arousal may have
a negative effect on accuracy
in violent crimes, the victim may
focus on central details such as a weapon and neglect other details
Loftus date
1979
Loftus study
weapon focus in EWT
Method: the study was an
independent groups design
Method: participants heard an
argument in the next room
Method: Condition 1
a man came out of the room with a pen and grease on his hands
Method: Condition 2
a man came out of the room with a knife covered in blood
Method: participants were then asked to identify the man from
50 pictures
Results: Condition 1
49% accuracy
Results Condition 2
33% accuracy
Conclusion: when anxious and aroused
witnesses focus on the weapon and not the person
Evaluation: the study has high
ecological validity
Evaluation: there are ethical considerations due
to the potential that the participants were stressed