17. Eyewitness Testimony: The Cognitive Interview AO1

Question 1

Explain the cognitive interview

Answer 1

Psychologists claim EWT could be improved if police used techniques based on psychological insights into how memory works

Question 2

Why is it called the cognitive interview

Answer 2

To indicate it’s foundation in cognitive psychology

Question 3

What is established in cognitive interview

Answer 3

Rapport - (understanding) established with interviewee

Question 4

What are the five conditions of a cognitive interview

Answer 4

1. Report Everything
2. Context Reinstatement
3. Reverse the Order
4. Change Perspective
5. Enhanced Cognitive Interview

Question 5

Explain report everything

Answer 5

Witnesses are encouraged to include every detail of an event - even if it seems irrelevant or they’re not confident - may be important or trigger other memories

Question 6

Explain context reinstatement

Answer 6

Witness returns to crime scene in their mind and imagines environment e.g. Weather - and emotions -

Question 7

What is context reinstatement based on

Answer 7

Context- dependent forgetting - cues from context may trigger recall

Question 8

Explain reverse the order

Answer 8

Events recalled in different order e.g. End to start - prevents people using expectations rather than actual events - prevents dishonesty as it’s harder to do

Question 9

Explain changing the perspective

Answer 9

Witness recalls incident from other people’s perspectives - prevents influence of expectations and schema on recall

Question 10

What are schema

Answer 10

Packages of information developed through experience - generate a framework for interpreting incoming information

Question 11

Explain the enhanced cognitive interview

Answer 11

Fisher developed additional elements - includes focus on social dynamics of interactions e.g. establishing eye contact

Also includes ideas such as reducing eyewitness’ anxiety, distractions & getting them to speak slowly