Library Dissertation Showcase

Does the strength of the weapon focus effect depend on race and gender?

  • Year of Publication:
  • 2022

Prior research suggests the presence of a weapon may be detrimental to eyewitnesses’ memory of the perpetrator. However, when weapons are inconsistent with person schema, the effect can be more pronounced, such as in White males compared to Black males. The current research extends this by assessing the strength of the weapon focus effect across race and gender, utilising Black and White female and male perpetrators. It was hypothesised that the weapon focus effect would be attenuated when the perpetrator was a Black female or male, meaning participants would be more likely to correctly identify a Black perpetrator from a lineup. Nevertheless, participants post-confidence judgements would be a better indicator of accuracy than pre-confidence. This research uses a sample of 276 participants who completed an online questionnaire. The present study involved the use of simulated mock-crime videos, lecture transcripts, along with measures for arousal states, memory, and target-present and target-absent lineups. Between-subject full factorial ANOVA’s, multiple logistic regressions and calibration analyses were conducted. Results revealed no overall standard weapon focus effect, however, memory for White perpetrators was significantly higher than Black perpetrators. Despite this, logistic regressions revealed participants were more likely to correctly identify a Black perpetrator from a lineup. Calibration analyses revealed that post-confidence judgements were a better indicator of accuracy across all conditions. Future research would benefit from assessing the WFE across longer retention periods. Implications for impact on criminal justice system are discussed.

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