ERIC Number: EJ1262764
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0888-4080
EISSN: N/A
Two Field Studies on the Effects of Alcohol on Eyewitness Identification, Confidence, and Decision Times
Sauerland, Melanie; Broers, Nick J.; van Oorsouw, Kim
Applied Cognitive Psychology, v33 n3 p370-385 May-Jun 2019
In two field studies, bar tenants ("N"s = 86 and 190, respectively) were successively approached by confederates C1 and C2 on a night out. Confederate C3 then presented participants with a six-person target-absent or target-present lineup concerning C1 or C2 (immediate test). Several days later, participants viewed a lineup regarding the confederate they had not attempted to identify earlier (C1/C2; delayed test). An immediate compared with a delayed, sober identification test did not increase the risk of a false identification decision. A blood alcohol concentration of 0.06-0.07% best discriminated accurate from inaccurate decisions. Choosers with a blood alcohol concentration [less than or equal to] 0.06% showed excellent calibration and little overconfidence, and their confidence was a strong indicator of accuracy (i.e., good resolution). Choosers with a higher intoxication level displayed poor calibration and strong overconfidence. Nonchoosers were generally poorly calibrated. Combined analyses showed a negative effect of intoxication on one's ability to discriminate the target from nontargets.
Descriptors: Decision Making, Drinking, Identification, Recognition (Psychology), Tests, Biochemistry, Accuracy, Self Efficacy, Comparative Analysis, Dining Facilities, Alcohol Abuse, Law Enforcement
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A