Interview Theory and Application

Question 1

The terms induction and deduction are most often associated with which inhibitor to communication?

A. Inferential confusion

B. Trauma

C. Chronological confusion

D. None of the above

Answer 1

A. Inferential confusion

Inferential confusion denotes confusion and inaccuracies resulting from errors of inference. These errors generally fall into two categories: induction or deduction. Induction occurs when the respondent is asked to convert concrete experiences into a higher level of generalization. Deduction occurs when the respondent is asked to give concrete examples of certain categories of experience.

Question 2

The verbal and nonverbal clues to deception are produced primarily by stress.
T/F

Answer 2

True
It is said that everyone lies and does so for one of two reasons: to receive rewards or to avoid punishment. In most people, lying produces stress. The human body will attempt to relieve this stress (even in practiced liars) through verbal and nonverbal clues.

Conclusions concerning behavior must be tempered by a number of factors. The physical environment in which the interview is conducted can affect behavior. If the respondent is comfortable, fewer behavior quirks might be exhibited. The more intelligent the respondent, the more reliable verbal and nonverbal clues will be. If the respondent is biased toward the interviewer, or vice versa, this will affect behavior.

In detecting deception during an interview, the interviewer must remember that the interviewee or target might already be under stress because of the situation. While lying and deception do indeed cause stress, it is not necessarily true that all stress exhibited during an interview is caused by lying.

Question 3

Prior to conducting an interview, an investigator should prepare a thorough list of questions to ensure that the interview is well structured and that no predetermined lines of inquiry are forgotten. T/F

Answer 3

False
Whenever possible, do not prepare a list of predetermined questions to ask the subject. The interview should flow freely. The interviewer might, however, want to develop a list of key points to cover during the interview.

Also, do not provide the subject with a list of predetermined questions. Allowing the respondent to read a written list of questions can give him an opportunity to fabricate his answer.

Question 4

For purposes of evaluating deception, illustrators can be defined as:

A. Motions made primarily with the hands to demonstrate a point

B. Verbal statements that illustrate a point

C. Expressions made with the face, the meanings of which are clearly understood

D. None of the above

Answer 4

A. Motions made primarily with the hands to demonstrate a point

Illustrators are motions made primarily with the hands that demonstrate points when talking. During nonthreatening questions, the respondent’s illustrators might occur at one rate, and during threatening questions, the respondent’s use of illustrators might increase or decrease.

Question 5

As a general rule, the more intelligent the witness, the less reliable his verbal and nonverbal clues of deception will be. T/F

Answer 5

False
Conclusions concerning behavior must be tempered by a number of factors. As a general rule, the more intelligent the respondent, the more reliable verbal and nonverbal clues will be.

A higher level of intelligence breeds more consistency in responses from which deviations are more clearly recognizable. People of lower intelligence tend to be more erratic in their behavior, and thus meaningful deviations are more difficult to discern

Question 6

Which of the following is a verbal clue of deception when displayed by a respondent being interviewed?

A. Oaths

B. Comments regarding the interview

C. Change in voice pitch

D. All of the above

Answer 6

D. All of the above
Verbal clues refer to how an individual conveys information vocally, including tone, pitch, volume, and rate of speech. Verbal clues are those relating to wordings, expressions, and responses to specific questions. Some examples of verbal clues include:
• Changes in speech patterns (e.g., changes in voice pitch)
• Comments regarding the interview
• Oaths

Question 7

Which type of question is used to establish the respondent’s credibility?

A. Assessment

B. Leading

C. Closed

D. Open

Answer 7

A. Assessment

Assessment questions seek to establish the respondent’s credibility. They are used only when the interviewer considers previous statements by the respondent to be inconsistent because of possible deception. When evaluating a subject’s response to an assessment question for credibility, it is critical to observe both verbal and nonverbal reactions.

Question 8

In interview situations, a(n)______________ is any social-psychological barrier that impedes the flow of relevant information by making the respondent unwilling or unable to provide information to the interviewer.

A. Facilitator

B. Repressor

C. Inhibitor

D. Antecedent

Answer 8

C. Inhibitor
To be an effective interviewer, one must understand that certain matters inhibit communication, while others facilitate it. It is the interviewer’s task to minimize inhibitors and maximize facilitators. An “inhibitor” is any social-psychological barrier that impedes the flow of relevant information by making the respondent unable or unwilling to provide the information to the interviewer.

Question 9

In interviews involving anxiety and uncertainty, individuals might perform displacement activities that reduce nervousness. These types of displacement activities are known as:

A. Norming

B. Manipulators

C. Illustrators

D. Paralinguistics

Answer 9

B. Manipulators

Manipulators are motions like picking lint from clothing, playing with objects such as pencils, or holding one’s hands while talking. Manipulators are displacement activities that reduce nervousness.

Question 10

The use of trickery and deceit to obtain a confession will always render the confession inadmissible in a court of law. T/F

Answer 10

False
The use of deception to gain information can sometimes be employed legally. The theory is that information can be obtained by nearly any means, with the exception of force or threats. The interviewer, however, may not employ any deception likely to cause the innocent person to confess. The use of deception is not justified regarding promises of leniency or confidentiality, nor is it justified to obtain a monetary or business advantage.

Question 11

Some of the most effective information-seeking questions are phrased as subtle commands. T/F

Answer 11

True
During the information phase of the interview, the interviewer should endeavor to ask primarily open questions to stimulate conversation. Some of the best open questions are subtle commands.

Question 12

Which of the following is a good practice for taking notes during an interview?

A. Avoid making notes regarding opinions or impressions about a witness.

B. Slow down the interview process if necessary to take accurate notes.

C. Make any necessary additions to interview notes within several weeks of the interview.

D. Write down verbatim all responses given by the subject during the interview.

Answer 12

A. Avoid making notes regarding opinions or impressions about a witness.

When taking notes during an interview, fraud examiners should follow a few basic rules. First, they should take accurate, but not necessarily verbatim, notes during the interview. Taking too many notes will make the interview process cumbersome, and it might inhibit the respondent. Fraud examiners should also avoid slowing down the interview process for note taking. Instead, they should jot down keywords or phrases and then go back over the details at the end of the interview. In general, it is better to err on the side of taking too few notes rather than too many. These notes should be expounded upon as soon as possible following the interview to ensure accuracy. Finally, fraud examiners should avoid making notes regarding their overall opinions or impressions of the subject. Such notes can cause credibility problems if they are later produced in court.

Question 13

Which of the following is the most appropriate type of question for fraud examiners to ask during interviews to confirm facts that are already known?

A. Narrative

B. Leading

C. Open

D. None of the above

Answer 13

B. Leading

Leading questions are questions that are framed in a way that evokes a specific reply from the respondent; they are questions that contain a suggested answer. Most commonly, leading questions are used to confirm facts already known. This type of question gives the subject much less room to maneuver than an open or closed question because these questions direct the subject to answer in a particular way. Leading questions imply that the interviewer already knows the answer, asking the subject to confirm what is already known. They can be particularly effective in interview situations.

Examples of leading questions include: “So there have been no changes in the operation since last year?”; “Are you still employed by the Bailey Book Corporation?”; “You got promoted, right?”; “Don’t you get your income from various sources?”

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT one of the designed purposes of asking introductory questions in interview situations?

A. To provide the introduction

B. To get agreement from the respondent to cooperate

C. To establish rapport

D. To give a detailed reason for the interview

Answer 14

D. To give a detailed reason for the interview
Introductory questions are designed to meet four objectives: to provide an introduction, to establish rapport, to get the respondent to agree verbally to cooperate in the interview (i.e., establish the interview theme), and to observe the respondent’s reactions to questions.

Question 15

In interview situations, _____________ questions consist of a series of interrelated questions and frequently require more than one answer.

A. Reverse

B. Closed

C. Complex

D. None of the above

Answer 15

C. Complex

Complex questions are those that consist of a series of interrelated questions. For example: “What are your duties here, and how long have you been employed?” Complex questions and statements are too complicated to be easily understood, cover more than one subject or topic, require more than one answer, or require a complicated answer. Therefore, fraud examiners should avoid asking complex questions.

Question 16

Which of the following is the facilitator of communication that refers to the process by which a person obtains a release from unpleasant emotional tensions by talking about the source of these tensions?

A. Catharsis

B. Recognition

C. Altruism

D. Sympathy

Answer 16

A. Catharsis
Catharsis is the process by which a person obtains a release from unpleasant emotional tensions by talking about the source of these tensions. We often feel better by talking about something that upsets us. Although we all are familiar with the frequent necessity for catharsis in ourselves, we do not always perceive the same need in others. The need for sympathetic understanding and the need for catharsis are related, but they are not the same thing. The interviewer who does not have time to listen to what he considers inconsequential or egocentric talk will often find the respondent unwilling to share important consequences.

Question 17

Which of the following are questions that contain a suggested answer?

A. Complex

B. Leading

C. Compound

D. Closed

Answer 17

B. Leading

Leading questions are questions that are framed in a way that evokes a specific reply from the respondent; they are questions that contain a suggested answer. Most commonly, leading questions are used to confirm facts already known. This type of question gives the subject much less room to maneuver than an open or closed question because these questions direct the subject to answer in a particular way. Leading questions imply that the interviewer already knows the answer, asking the subject to confirm what is already known, and they can be particularly effective in interview situations.

Examples of leading questions include: “So there have been no changes in the operation since last year?”; “Are you still employed by the Bailey Book Corporation?”; “You got promoted, right?”; “Don’t you get your income from various sources?”

Question 18

During the introductory phase of the interview, the interviewer should avoid terms such as:

A. Inquiry

B. Investigation

C. Review

D. All of the above

Answer 18

B. Investigation
Interviewers are encouraged to formulate their questions in a way that will not bring about a strong emotional reaction from the respondent, and emotive words of all types should be avoided during the introductory phase. Such words put people on the defensive, and they are more reluctant to answer and to cooperate. Words such as investigation and audit should be avoided. The best terminology to use is words with a softer meaning such as inquiry or examination.

Question 19

In interview situations, certain socio-psychological forces make the conversation easier to accomplish. These forces are known as:

A. Facilitators of communication

B. Alleviations

C. Ego enhancers

D. Inhibitors of communication

Answer 19

A. Facilitators of communication

Facilitators of communication are those socio-psychological forces that make conversations, including interviews, easier to accomplish. These facilitators require a basic understanding of what motivates people. The facilitators are: fulfilling expectations, recognition, altruistic appeals, sympathetic understanding, new experience, catharsis, need for meaning, and extrinsic rewards.

Question 20

When asked a “yes” or “no” question, it is generally easier for an individual to answer “yes” than it is to answer “no.” T/F

Answer 20

True
Throughout the interview process—from the introduction to the close—the interviewer should seek continuous agreement by attempting to phrase the questions so that they can be answered “yes.” It is generally easier for people to reply in the affirmative than the negative

Question 21

Beta, a Certified Fraud Examiner, is conducting a routine interview of someone who does not know him. In such situations, it is usually best for Beta to omit his title when introducing himself. T/F

Answer 21

True
Beta must introduce himself before the interview commences. Generally, an interviewer should indicate his name and company, but he should avoid stating his title if possible. In some instances, the interviewer cannot avoid giving his title, and in such cases, the interviewer should use a title that will not conjure up emotions or possible fear in the respondent’s mind.

Question 22

In interview situations, ______________ communication is the use of interpersonal space to convey meaning.

A. Kinetic

B. Chronemic

C. Proxemic

D. None of the above

Answer 22

C. Proxemic
Proxemic communication is the use of interpersonal space to convey meaning. The relationship between the interviewer and respondent is both a cause and effect of proxemic behavior. If the distance between the interviewer and the respondent is greater, there is more of a tendency for them to watch each other’s eyes for clues to meaning.

It is important to position the respondent’s chair and the interviewer’s chair at an acceptable distance. The correct conversational distance varies from one culture to another. In the Middle East, the distance is quite short; in Latin America, equals of the same sex carry on a conversation at a much closer distance than in North America. Often, as the subject matter of the interview changes, the interviewer can note the changes in the respondent’s proxemic behavior. If the person is free to back away, he might do so when the topic becomes unpleasant or sensitive.

Question 23

All of the following are signs of deceptive behavior in an interview subject EXCEPT:

A. The subject slouches unnaturally in his chair.

B. The subject plays with a pencil during direct questioning.

C. The subject frequently uses subtle hand gestures when talking.

D. The subject appears casual and unconcerned.

Answer 23

C. The subject frequently uses subtle hand gestures when talking.

The dishonest person will often try to appear casual and unconcerned, will frequently adopt an unnatural slouching posture, and might manipulate objects, such as a pencil. He also might react to questions with nervous or false laughter or feeble attempts at humor.

Nonverbal indications of deception include:
• Full-body motions away from the interviewer
• Physical responses such as sweating or labored breathing
• Changes in the use of illustrators
• Interruptions to the flow of speech
• Hands over the mouth
• Manipulation of objects such as a pencil
• Body positioned in a fleeing position
• Crossing of the arms
• Unnatural or casual reaction to evidence

Question 24

Which of the following is the facilitator of communication that refers to an individual’s need for the esteem of others?

A. Catharsis

B. Altruism

C. Recognition

D. None of the above

Answer 24

C. Recognition

All human beings need the recognition of others. Social interaction often depends on an exchange of social goods. People will “perform” in exchange for recognition and other social rewards. The need for recognition can be fulfilled by attention from people outside the individual’s social circle. The skillful and insightful interviewer takes advantage of every opportunity to give the respondent sincere recognition.

Question 25

If, during an interview, the respondent replies, “I don’t remember,” this type of response is usually a symptom of resistance. T/F

Answer 25

False
Usually, “I don’t remember” is not an expression of resistance. Instead, it is an expression of modesty, tentativeness, or caution. One of the best ways to respond is to simply remain silent while the person is deliberating. He is saying, in effect, “Give me a moment to think.” If this is not successful, the best way to counter is to pose an alternate, narrower question.

Question 26

Smith, a Certified Fraud Examiner for the ABC Corp., is in the process of interviewing Alfred, a parts clerk, about a theft of inventory. Smith is unsure if Alfred is involved in the theft. In concluding the interview, Smith should:

A. Avoid revisiting any previously discussed topics to prevent Alfred from knowing what Smith considers important.

B. Review the key points discussed during the interview to ensure he has understood everything Alfred has said.

C. Tell Alfred that he could be considered a suspect in the theft and observe his reaction.

D. Tell Alfred that there is not enough evidence to consider him a suspect and therefore he is free to go.

Answer 26

B. Review the key points discussed during the interview to ensure he has understood everything Alfred has said.

It is not unusual for the interviewer to have misunderstood or misinterpreted the respondent’s statements. Therefore, to ensure that the interviewer understood the information that the witness provided, he should review the key facts during the closing phase of the interview. However, the interviewer should not attempt to revisit all the information provided by the subject, only the facts that are most relevant

Question 27

Able, a Certified Fraud Examiner, conducted an interview of Baker, the controller of the ABC Company. Able asked the following question: “Since you were here when the controls were developed, can you tell me how they came about?” This kind of question is called a ____________________.

A. Controlled answer technique

B. Double-negative question

C. Complex question

D. None of the above

Answer 27

A. Controlled answer technique

Controlled answer techniques or statements may be used to stimulate a desired answer or impression. These techniques direct the interview toward a specific point. For example, it might be possible to get a person to admit knowledge of a matter by phrasing the question: “I understand you were present when the internal controls were developed; would you please describe how they were constructed?” This phrasing provides a stronger incentive for the respondent to admit knowledge than does: “Were you present when the internal controls were developed?” To stimulate the person to agree to talk or provide information, you might use a prompt such as: “Because you are not involved in this matter, I am sure you would not mind discussing it with me.” This provides a stronger incentive to cooperate than: “Do you have any objections to telling me what you know?” Avoid negative construction, such as: “I don’t guess you would mind answering a few questions?”

Question 28

In interview situations, ___________ are questions that often suggest an answer opposite to the correct one.

A. Reverse

B. Inverted

C. Complex

D. Double-negative

Answer 28

D. Double-negative
Double-negative questions are questions that have two forms of negation within a single clause. Double-negative questions, or statements containing double negatives, are confusing and often suggest an answer opposite to the correct one. Therefore, they should not be used. For example: “Didn’t you suspect that something wasn’t right?”

Question 29

Which of the following is NOT a recommended approach to dealing with a hostile or argumentative respondent during an interview?

A. Attempt to reason with the respondent.

B. Avoid showing any kind of reaction to the respondent’s hostile behavior.

C. Make it difficult for the respondent to say “no” to any points raised.

D. Disarm the respondent by agreeing with his points whenever possible.

Answer 29

A. Attempt to reason with the respondent.

The interviewer will invariably encounter a few difficult people. There are five common-sense steps to take with such people:
• Don’t react. There are three natural reactions for an interviewer who is verbally assailed by the respondent: to strike back, to give in, or to terminate the interview. None of these tactics is satisfactory because none of these responses lead to a productive interview.
• Disarm nonreceptive respondents. A common mistake interviewers make is to try to reason with an unreceptive person. To disarm the person, listen, acknowledge the point, and agree wherever possible.
• In some situations, changing tactics to reduce hostility might be the only viable option.
• Make it easy to say “yes” by agreeing with one of the respondent’s statements and go from there.
• Make it hard for the respondent to say “no.”