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June 25, 2004|Volume 32, Number 32|Four-Week Issue



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Research shows ability to identify suspects
is poor in high-stress situations

The ability to recognize people encountered during highly threatening and stressful events is poor in the majority of individuals, according to a Yale researcher.

"Contrary to the popular conception that most people would never forget the face of a clearly seen individual who had physically confronted them and threatened them for more than 30 minutes, a large number of subjects in this study were unable to correctly identify the perpetrator," says Dr. Charles Morgan III, associate professor of psychiatry at the School of Medicine.

The study included 509 active-duty military personnel enrolled in survival school training. The types of stress were modeled after experiences of military personnel who had been prisoners of war (POWs) -- food and sleep deprivation for 48 hours followed by interrogation.

There were two instructors in the room, a "guard" and an "interrogator." The high-stress interrogation included physical confrontation. During the low-stress interrogation, the interrogator tried to trick the subject into giving away information.

Twenty-four hours after being released from the mock POW camp, the military personnel were asked to identify the interrogator and guard in a live line up, a photo spread and a sequential photo presentation. Regardless of the presentation, recognition was better during the low-stress rather than the high-stress condition. In some cases, those interrogated confused even the gender of the guard and/or interrogator.

"The present data have a number of implications for law enforcement personnel, mental health professionals, physicians, attorneys and judges," Morgan says. "All professionals would do well to remember that a large number of healthy individuals may not be able to correctly identify suspects associated with highly stressful, compared to moderately stressful, events."

Co-authors included Major Gary Hazlett of Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Lt. Commanders Anthony Doran of Brunswick, Maine; Gary Hoyt of Coronado, California; and Dr. Steven Southwick (senior author), Stephan Garrett, Paul Thomas and Madelon Baranoski, all from Yale.


T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S

Grant to aid development of gene therapy for Parkinson's

Alumni elect new trustee

Historian Blight to direct Gilder-Lehrman Center

Student's 'Ride to Endure' will raise funds for cancer group

ENDOWED PROFESSORSHIPS

Library acquires papers of famed poet Joseph Brodsky

IN FOCUS: F&ES-Anthropology Combined Degree

Troup students creating own plays in Drama School program

SCIENCE & MEDICAL NEWS

Committee reviewing employee health benefits . . .

Orchestral movement: Shinik Hahm leaving post . . .

Ranis and Hathaway to research international topics as Carnegie Scholars

I. Richard Savage dies; noted for applying statistics to public policys

Sundance Lab director named interim head of playwriting department

Campus Notes

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