Discuss research into the effects of anxiety on the accuracy of eyewitness testimony.

Question 10 Mark Scheme

Discuss research into the effects of anxiety on the accuracy of eyewitness testimony.

[16 marks]

What is expected in the answer?

The command word “discuss” requires students to demonstrate accurate knowledge of theories and/or studies investigating anxiety and eyewitness testimony, then evaluate what this research tells us about eyewitness accuracy. For 16 marks, students should recognise that research is contradictory, with some evidence suggesting anxiety reduces accuracy and other evidence suggesting it can improve recall.

This is a direct specification area, with anxiety identified as one of the factors affecting the accuracy of eyewitness testimony.

Marks for this question: AO1 = 6, AO3 = 10

This is the allocation used for this exact June 2023 examination question.

Level	Marks	Description
4	13–16	Knowledge of research into the effects of anxiety on eyewitness testimony is accurate and generally well detailed. Discussion is thorough and effective, including consideration of conflicting findings and relevant methodological or theoretical issues. The answer is clear, coherent and focused, with effective use of specialist terminology.
3	9–12	Knowledge of relevant research is evident but there may be occasional inaccuracies or omissions. Discussion is mostly effective. The answer is generally clear and organised but may lack focus or development in places. Specialist terminology is used appropriately.
2	5–8	Limited knowledge of research into anxiety and eyewitness testimony is present. The response is mainly descriptive and discussion is of limited effectiveness. The answer may lack clarity, accuracy or organisation.
1	1–4	Knowledge is very limited. Discussion is limited, poorly focused or absent. The answer contains substantial inaccuracies or irrelevant material. Specialist terminology is absent or used inaccurately.
0	0	No relevant content.

The published mark scheme explicitly allows theories as well as studies to count as research, including weapon focus, tunnel theory and the inverted-U hypothesis.

Indicative content

AO1: Anxiety and eyewitness testimony

Credit relevant knowledge such as:

• Anxiety is a state of emotional and physiological arousal that may occur when witnessing a frightening or threatening event.

• Research suggests anxiety can have different effects on eyewitness accuracy.

• High anxiety may reduce accuracy by narrowing attention towards the most threatening aspects of an event.

• Alternatively, emotional arousal may make an important real-life event more memorable.

• The relationship may therefore depend on the level of anxiety rather than anxiety simply being helpful or harmful.

• Relevant theories include:

  • weapon focus

  • tunnel theory

  • the inverted-U hypothesis or Yerkes-Dodson law.

• Relevant studies include:

  • Johnson and Scott

  • Yuille and Cutshall

  • Christianson and Hubinette

  • Loftus and Burns

  • Deffenbacher.

These are all identified as appropriate material in the June 2023 mark scheme.

Weapon focus and tunnel theory

Credit relevant knowledge such as:

• Anxiety may cause an eyewitness to concentrate attention on the most threatening feature of an event.

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