The effects of anxiety on the accuracy of EWT Flashcards
What is meant by ‘weapon focus’?
If there is a weapon present then individuals may pay more attention to the weapon than peripheral details, such as the appearance of the perpetrator.
The presence of a weapon might also significantly increase levels of anxiety experienced.
How can ‘weapon focus’ affect the accuracy of EWT?
The presence of a weapon is thought to negatively affect an eyewitness’ ability to recall details about the culprit, as it diverts their attention away from important aspects of the situation and narrows their focus of attention to the weapon.
Johnson and Scott (1976): Laboratory study; independent groups design
Procedure
Procedure: Participants sat in waiting room and overheard either a…
a) Low key discussion in lab about equipment failure, a man then emerged holding a pen with greased hands (LOW anxiety condition).
b) Hostile exchange, sound of breaking glass and crashing chairs; a man then emerged holding bloodied paperknife (HIGH anxiety condition).
Ppts were then presented with 50 photographs and asked to identify the man.
Johnson and Scott (1976): Laboratory study; independent groups design
Findings
Findings: Ppts were less accurate in identifying a man who had been seen earlier holding a bloodied paperknife (33%) compared with those who had seen the same man holding a pen (49%).
Johnson and Scott (1976): Laboratory study; independent groups design
Conclusions
Conclusion: The weapon (paperknife) – as well as the high levels of anxiety experienced - may have distracted the ppts attention away from the appearance of the person holding it.
Loftus and Burns (1982
Procedure
Participants were allocated to one of two conditions:1. Watched a violent short film where a boy was shot in the faceor2. Watched a non-violent short film of a crime
Loftus and Burns (1982
Findings
Findings: Participants were less accurate in recall when they saw the violent short film than those who watched the non-violent movie.
Who does Loftus and Burns (1982 support
This demonstrates support for Johnson and Scott (1976) as it shows that when people witness anxiety-provoking situations, they are less likely to recall the event or the perpetrator accurately.
Yuille and Cutshall (1986)
Procedure
Interviewed 13 eyewitnesses to a real-life shooting involving the owner of the shop and armed thief.
The storeowner was wounded; the thief was shot dead.
Yuille and Cutshall (1986)
Key Findings
Accurate accounts were given five months later – what does this suggest?
Those in closer proximity gave more accurate accounts.
Interestingly, misleading questions had no effect on accuracy of recall
This research suggests that high levels of anxiety increase accuracy of EWT.
Christianson and Hubinette (1993) - Anxiety in the real world
Questioned 110 witnesses to 22 real bank robbery.
They found that those who had been threatened in some way (bank tellers) were more accurate and detailed in their recall than those who had been onlookers and less emotionally aroused.
This suggests that emotional arousal improves memory recall.
Foster (1994) - Investigated consequentiality
Identification of the robber was more accurate for the group who thought they were witnessing a real event and told that their responses would influence the trial.
This suggests that the consequence of identifying someone is an important factor with respect to accuracy of recall.
Yerkes-Dodson Law
This model suggests that moderate levels of anxiety (emotional arousal) promote more accurate recall.
Deffenbacher (1983)
performed a meta-analysis of 21 studies examining the role of anxiety in EWT.
Conclusions: Heightened anxiety tended to negatively affect memory for an event witnessed.
Deffenbacher concluded from their research that anxiety diverts attention away from the important features of a situation.
What is a meta-analysis?
A large number of studies – involving the same research question and methods – are reviewed together, by combining the data and applying a statistical test to assess the effect size.
