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Thesis/Dissertation Information
- Degree Disciplines:
- Psychology
Notes
- Abstract:
- Mistaken eyewitness identification is the primary cause of wrongful convictions, with over 70% of DNA-exonerated convictions as a result of faulty eyewitness testimony (Innocence Project, 2013). It is therefore extremely important to understand the factors that influence the accuracy of an eyewitness’ account. This thesis replicated and expanded on research examining whether an individual’s level of trait anxiety impacts their memory recall and recognition for both the perpetrator and the scene. Previous research is contradictory when concerning trait anxiety, showing multiple effects on eyewitness memory. For example, Dobson and Markham (1992) found that high trait anxiety impairs eyewitness accuracy, whereas Nolan and Markham (1998) found no relationship between trait anxiety and eyewitness accuracy, and Bar-Haim, Lamy, Pergamin, Bakermans-Kranenburg, and van IJzendoorn, (2007) found that individuals high in trait anxiety pay more attention to threat than those low in trait anxiety. Two hundred and fifteen men and women were recruited through Barry University and online resources to complete an online survey on anxiety and memory. Participants provided demographic information, completed the Burns Anxiety Inventory (1989), viewed a mock crime video of a convenience store robbery and answered questions measuring their memory for the perpetrator and for the scene using open ended questions (e.g., What color was the gun?) and close ended questions (e.g., Where did the robber take the weapon from?: (a) Behind his back, (b) His front pocket, or (c) A side holster?). The last step was a lineup identification task. It was hypothesized that the accuracy of participants’ responses would depend in part on the nature of the information being tested (threatening vs. non-threatening) and the type of questions being used (open ended recall vs. closed-ended recognition questions). The current study was correlational in nature. Scores on the Burns Anxiety Inventory were correlated with accuracy scores for threatening recall questions, threatening recognition (including the lineup identification task outcome) questions, non-threatening recall questions, and non-threatening recognition questions. A series of T tests were also used to examine the relationship between trait anxiety level (high vs. low) and individuals’ accuracy of a perpetrator and event. Overall, the findings suggest a minimal relationship between trait anxiety and eyewitness accuracy. The only observed difference in eyewitness accuracy was between high and low trait-anxious participants on recall accuracy for threatening items (e.g., questions about the robber’s appearance and actions). High trait-anxious participants were less accurate on open ended items related to the perpetrator than low-trait anxious participants. The results of this study suggest that trait anxiety does not necessarily impair eyewitness performance and accuracy may depend on the types of questions used and the nature of the information requested.
- Thesis:
- Thesis (M.S.)--Barry University, 2017.
- Bibliography:
- Includes bibliographical references (leaves 36-39).
Record Information
- Source Institution:
- Barry University
- Holding Location:
- Barry University Archives and Special Collections
- Rights Management:
- Copyright Raquel Miret. Permission granted to Barry University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
- Resource Identifier:
- HV8073.4.M57 2017_MiretRaquel ( BU-Local )
- Classification:
- HV8073.4.M57 2017 ( lcc )
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