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Denis and Angela recently witnessed a robbery at a bank - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 10 - 2022 - Paper 2
Question 10
Denis and Angela recently witnessed a robbery at a bank. The robber was waving a gun at the bank staff as he demanded the money. Denis had to give the police a state... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Denis and Angela recently witnessed a robbery at a bank - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 10 - 2022 - Paper 2
Step 1
Evaluate factors influencing the eye-witness testimony given by Denis and Angela.
Answer
To evaluate the factors influencing the eye-witness testimony of Denis and Angela, we must consider several key aspects.
Attention and Weapon Focus
Witnesses tend to focus on the weapon involved during a crime, as this can lead to narrowed attention. Denis likely focused on the gun during the incident, which may have affected his ability to remember other details about the robber's appearance. Studies have shown that the presence of a weapon can distort memory, making individuals less accurate in recalling non-weapon details.
Time Delay and Memory Reconstruction
Denis provided his statement right after the robbery, which could be beneficial for accurate recall. However, Angela provided hers two weeks later. Research suggests that the longer the delay, the more likely witnesses are to incorporate post-event information, which can distort their original memories. Angela's familiarity with police dramas may have influenced her perception, as she might have unknowingly reconstructed the memory based on those narratives.
Discussion with Other Witnesses
The interaction between witnesses can also lead to memory conformity. If Angela discussed the incident with another witness who mentioned a knife, she might have incorporated that detail into her memory, even if it wasn't accurate. This phenomenon highlights the fragility of eyewitness testimony as it can be influenced by external conversations or suggestive input.
Psychological Factors
Stress and anxiety during a traumatic event can impair memory encoding, possibly leading to errors in recall. Both Denis and Angela experienced a highly stressful event, which could cloud their memories of the robber.
Conclusion
In conclusion, various factors including attention to the weapon, time delays, discussions with other witnesses, and psychological stress all play a significant role in the reliability of Denis and Angela's testimonies. It is crucial to understand these influences to evaluate the credibility of eyewitness accounts.