EWT: Anxiety: AO3

Cards (4)

Limitation: Unusualness not anxiety
What? Study by Johnson and Scott may not have tested anxiety
Who? Pickel - scissors, handgum, wallet, chicken; eyewitness accuracy poorer in unusual conditions (chicken and handgun)
Why? Weapon focus due to unusualness rather than anxiety
Strength: Support for negative effects
What? Evidence supporting anxiety has a negative effect on recall
Who? Valentine and Mesout - 17% correct recall in high-anxiety condition VS 75% in low-anxiety condition
Why? Shows does have a negative effect on recall
Strength: Support for positive effects
What? Evidence supporting anxiety has a positive effect on recall
Who? Christianson and Hubinette - witnesses to bank robbery; recall 75% accurate + direct victims even more accurate
Why? Shows anxiety may enhance recall
Counterpoint: Support for positive effects
What? Interviews months after
Who? Post-event discussions; effects of anxiety overwhelmed by other factors
Why? Lack of control over confounding variables responsible for findings