Memory - p1

• What is a strength of research into the effect of anxiety on eye witness testimony

  Strength = studies show ↑ levels of anxiety have positive effect on recall. E.g Yuille + Cutshall (1986) interviewed 13 witnesses present in a real shooting. Found accuracy increased 5 months after interviews took place, that witnesses avoided leading questions + there were little changes in testimonies. Supports idea that anxiety has positive influence on our ability to recall events.
• What is a weakness of research into the effects of anxiety on eyewitness testimony

  Weakness = weapons focus effect may X be caused by anxiety. E.g Pickel (1998) had pats observe thief enter hairdressing salon carrying 1 of 4 items: scissors (↑threat ↓surprise), handgun (↑threat ↑surprise), a wallet (↓low threat ↓surprise) and a raw chicken (↓threat ↑surprise). It was found that identification least accurate in ↑ surprise conditions rather than ↑ threat conditions. Suggests identification could be due to surprise X anxiety.
• What is a weakness of research into the effects of anxiety on eye witness testimony

  Weakness = field studies of effect of anxiety on the accuracy of EWT lack control. E.g time between crime + interviews - researchers have X control over. E.g eyewitnesses may have discussed event w other witnesses, been interviewed by police or seen accounts of crime in media. This could affect accuracy = ↓ internal validity.
• What is a weakness of research into the effect of anxiety on eye witness testimony

  Weakness = been suggested that  key extraneous variable in studies of  effect of anxiety on  accuracy of EWT = personality. Bothwell et al. (1987) assessed pts for neuroticism, (where ppl tend to become anxious quickly). ts were tested + labeled as neurotic or stable. Found - stable pts showed rising levels of accuracy as stress levels increased, however opposite true for neurotic group. Accuracy levels ↓ as stress ↑. Suggests personality can influence effect that anxiety has on accuracy of EWT.