Gudjonsson+Pearse 1998: Confessions (Suspects)

Question 1

Method?

Answer 1

Quasi exp

Question 2

Sample?

Answer 2

160 adults being questioned by police (with consent) mainly for property offences but some violence+drugs
(84% male, avg 28 years, all from London)

Question 3

Procedure?

Answer 3

1 hour of tests:
•10-15 mins standardised clinical interview (7 days previous mental state)
•Q’s asked concerning knowledge of legal rights (scored 1-8)
•GSS (Gudjonsson Suggestibility Scale) 1987
•Speilberger state-trait anxiety inventory 1970
•WAIS-R Wechsler (vocab, comprehension, picture)
•Schonell Graded Word Reading test 1974

Question 4

Classifying sample?

Answer 4

• 17.5% (28) deemed vulnerable+requiring an appropriate adult
• these ^ compared to non vulnerable

Question 5

Results of interviewing tactics?

Answer 5

• introducing evidence in case
• emphasising serious nature of case
• challenging suspect by saying they were lying

Question 6

Results of suspects?

Answer 6

• 14/28 made confessions
• 60% of confession under 25 years
• 60% above 25 years
• suspects that had taken illicit drugs in past 24hrs 3x more likely to confess
• 4x more likely to deny if legal rep present
• 2x more likely to deny if had prison experience

Question 7

Conclusions?

Answer 7

No significant difference between vulnerable and non however some factors like drugs, age and previous experience influence.
Confessions tended to be made early.

Question 8

Strengths?

Answer 8

• standardised
• ethical as gave consent
• pop v= androcentric represents prison population
• high Eco v
• holistic

Question 9

Weaknesses?

Answer 9

• small sample of vulnerable
• ethnocentric
• gatekeepers (MET police)
• low mundane realism as tests
• social desirability
• individual

Question 10

Aim?

Answer 10

To test the hypothesis that psychologically vulnerable suspects are particularly likely to confess, as well as younger people, those without a previous offence or legal advice.