Research into the influence of anxiety

• AO1


  • Cognitive psychology
• Eyewitness testimony study


  1. Participants invited into lab

  2. Overheard argument in adjacent room

  3. Shown 50 photos

  4. Asked to identify man
• Conditions


  • Low anxiety condition: Less intense argument, man with greasy hands
  • High anxiety condition: More intense argument, man with knife covered in blood
• Low anxiety condition had 49% accuracy
• High anxiety condition had 33% accuracy
• Increased anxiety


  Eyewitness testimony is less accurate