Effects of time delay and training on the weapon focus effect : an honors thesis (HONRS 499)

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Authors
Smith, Aaron
Advisor
Pickel, Kerri L.
Issue Date
2007
Keyword
Degree
Thesis (B.?.)
Department
Honors College
Other Identifiers
Abstract

Weapon focus has become a topic of great interest among cognitive psychologists. A study has shown that some of the effects of witnessing a weapon can be negated by informing the observer of these effects and encouraging them to avoid fixating on the weapon. The present study measured the effectiveness and duration of the informational treatment by utilizing a time delay between presentation of the information and the actual event. I have made no specific prediction regarding the effects of delay but it is possible that training may still have an effect. To test this, a group of Midwestern university students were given a lecture on either weapon focus or a control topic. Approximately one week later the students observed a video of a robber and their subsequent recognition and memory for the robber's clothes and features will be tested for accuracy. Weapon fixation was inferred if recognition suffered when a weapon was present. There was no main effect of either independent variable. There was no main effect of the object, F(l, 58) = .24, p = .63 and no main effect of lecture, F(1, 58) = .54, p = .47. There was an interaction obtained due to these differences, F(l, 58) = 9.39, p = .003.