2.6: The cognitive interview (CI)

Question 1

One technique used in cognitive interviews is ‘report everything.’
When using this technique, the police officer in this investigation read the following instructions to the participants:

'’Please tell me everything you can remember about what you saw in the film.
Do not leave anything out, even the small details you think may be unimportant.’’

Identify one other technique which could have been used by the police officer in this cognitive interview.
Write down the instructions that he could have read out to the participants (3 marks).
Technique:
Instructions to participants:

Answer 1

Technique: Change of narrative order

Question 2

One technique used in cognitive interviews is ‘report everything.’
When using this technique, the police officer in this investigation read the following instructions to the participants:

'’Please tell me everything you can remember about what you saw in the film.
Do not leave anything out, even the small details you think may be unimportant.’’

Identify one other technique which could have been used by the police officer in this cognitive interview.
Write down the instructions that he could have read out to the participants (3 marks).
Technique: Change of narrative order.
Instructions to participants:

Answer 2

Instructions to participants: ‘‘Please tell me everything you can remember about what you saw in the film, but from the end to the beginning of the film’’

Question 3

Psychologists have carried out research into the use of cognitive interviews. One possible ethical issue which might arise during this research is protection of participants from harm.
Explain how psychologists could deal with this ethical issue (3 marks)

Answer 3

Psychologists could deal with this ethical issue with the right to withdraw.
Participants should be reminded of their right to withdraw from the research.
If participants are showing signs of distress, the psychologist should remind the participants of their right to withdraw