Cognitive interview Flashcards
Based on two principles
Organisation
Cue-dependency
Two principles: Organisation
The way memory is organised means memory can be accessed in a number of ways.
A series of actions can help this e.g. first you did this, then you did that until you reach the memory you are struggling to access.
Two principles: Cue-dependency
Memories are cue-dependent: they use situational and emotional cues present during the original encoding.
Recall will be easier if the cues present at encoding can be present at recall.
Alternatively, you can imagine them being present e.g. location, mood, time of day, etc. and still receive the same benefit.
4 techniques
Reinstate the context
Change the narrative order
Change perspective
Report everything
4 techniques: reinstate the context
Help the interviewees go back in their mind to the context in which they encoded the memory.
This should allow internal/external cues from that time to trigger more recall.
E.g. how they were feeling emotionally at the time, what they were doing just before the event.
4 techniques: change the narrative order
Changing the narrative order in which events are recalled can be very beneficial as it ensures that details are not stripped and gaps can be filled.
This prevents any expectations (based on schemas) affecting recall.
E.g. the witness may be asked to repeat their account in reverse order.
4 techniques: Change perspective
You are asked to describe the incident from the perspective of other people who were present at the time.
This also prevents the effect of schemas on recall.
E.g. recall from the offender’s point of view.
4 techniques: Report everything
You are required to report back any information about the event that you can remember.
Even if it does not seem to have a bearing on the crime.
Hopefully, the more they recall, the more likely they are to trigger and cue more memories.
Enhanced cognitive interview
Fisher and Geiselman (1987) - amended version of the cognitive interview.
The ECI builds a trusting relationship between interviewer and witness, this improves communication between the two.
It includes ideas about reducing anxiety, minimising distractions, asking open-ended questions, and getting the witness to speak slowly.
The interviewer needs to know when to establish eye-contact and when to relinquish it (they may receive training for this).
AO3: supporting research
Kohnken et al. (1999) conducted a meta-analysis of 53 studies and found an average increase of 34% in the amount of correct information gathered in the ECI compared to standard interview techniques.
The CI is not just one technique, so comparing the effectiveness of the CI to the standard police interview is difficult.
AO3: based on a sound psychological theory.
For example, reinstating the context and report everything are based on Tulving’s encoding specificity principle.
AO3: each individual element was uniquely valuable.
Milne and Bull (2002) found each individual element was uniquely valuable. However, they found using a combination of report everything and context reinstatement produced better recall than any of the other conditions.
For example, Thames Valley police use a version of the CI that does not include changing perspectives.
This is a strength because it suggests at least these two elements should be used, even if the CI cannot be used.
AO3: generates quantity not quality
Krohnken et al (1999) also found an 81% increase in correct information recalled but also 61% increase of incorrect information recalled when the ECI was used compared to a standard interview.
AO3: more time and specialist training
Kebbell and Wagstaff (1996) found many police forces have not been able to provide more than a few hours of training in the CI techniques.
AO3: children are egocentric
Cannot change perspective for CI.
So CI is not suitable for all types of witnesses
It, therefore, limits it’s usefulness.
