Has a negative effect on the accuracy of EWT (Eyewitness Testimony)
Weapon focus
Other details of events may not be recalled due to focus on the weapon
Study on effect of anxiety on EWT
Johnson + Scott found that when participants overheard a casual conversation and saw a man holding a pen, they could correctly identify him later (low anxiety)
When they overheard an argument and saw a man holding a knife, only 33% could correctly identify him later (high anxiety)
Anxiety
Can have a positive effect on the accuracy of EWT
Study on effect of anxiety on EWT
Yuille Cutshall studied a real-life shooting in Vancouver and found witnesses who had been most distressed gave an accurate account 5 months on
Yerkes-Dodson Law
Suggests there is an optimal level of anxiety - moderate anxiety is associated with better recall than either high or low
