Event Title
Eyewitness Testimony: The Weapons Effect, Personality, and Gender
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Samuel Day
Start Date
23-4-2019 1:00 PM
End Date
23-4-2019 2:00 PM
Description
The Weapons Focus Effect (WFE) is the idea that the presence of a weapon draws the attention of observers, making it more difficult to recall details about the setting or the appearance of the individuals involved. Our study examines the effects of the gender of the perpetrator on the WFE, as well as the influence of the personality of the observer. 190 students from Susquehanna University watched a mock crime video, which varied between participants in terms of the presence of a weapon and the gender of the perpetrator. We predict that there will be a stronger WFE in scenes with a female perpetrator because preexisting expectations will lead to greater surprise at women holding weapons. We also predict that extraverted individuals will be less susceptible than introverts to the WFE.
Eyewitness Testimony: The Weapons Effect, Personality, and Gender
The Weapons Focus Effect (WFE) is the idea that the presence of a weapon draws the attention of observers, making it more difficult to recall details about the setting or the appearance of the individuals involved. Our study examines the effects of the gender of the perpetrator on the WFE, as well as the influence of the personality of the observer. 190 students from Susquehanna University watched a mock crime video, which varied between participants in terms of the presence of a weapon and the gender of the perpetrator. We predict that there will be a stronger WFE in scenes with a female perpetrator because preexisting expectations will lead to greater surprise at women holding weapons. We also predict that extraverted individuals will be less susceptible than introverts to the WFE.