Memory - cognitive interview

Question 1

what is the cognitive interview

Answer 1

• method of interviewing eyewitnesses to help them retrieve more accurate memories
• developed by Fisher and Geiselmen

Question 2

what are the 4 aspects of the cognitive interview

Answer 2

• report everything
• reinstate the context
• reverse the order
• change perspective

Question 3

what is report everything

Answer 3

• include every detail of the event
• may trigger more important memories

Question 4

what is reinstate the context

Answer 4

• return to the crime scene in your mind and imagine the environement

Question 5

what is reverse the order

Answer 5

• event recalled in a different order
• disrupts the effect of schemas
• prevents dishonesty

Question 6

what is change perspective

Answer 6

• recall events from other perspectives
• disrupts schemas

Question 7

what are the strengths of the cognitive interview

Answer 7

Kohnken et al (1999)
- met analysis
- combined data from 55 studies comparing cognitive interview and police interview
- cognitive interview gave 41% increase in accurate information
- police interview had more inaccurate recalled information

Question 8

what are the limitations of the cognitive interview

Answer 8

Milne and Bull (2002)
- each aspect worked better on its own rather than as a whole
- some aspects are more useful than others
- doubts credibility

• very time consuming
• requires special training