Paper 1 - Memory - Topic 2 - Improving The Accuracy Of Eyewitness Testimony: Cognitive Interview Flashcards
2.9 What is the cognitive interview?
A technique for improving eyewitness testimony based on psychological insights into memory
Developed by Ronald Fisher and Edward Geiselman in 1992
2.9 Name the four main techniques used in the CI
Report everything
Reinstate the context
Reverse the order
Change perspective
2.9 What does the technique ‘Report everything’ entail?
Witnesses are encouraged to include every detail, even if it seems irrelevant
Seemingly trivial details may trigger other important memories
2.9 What is meant by ‘Reinstate the context’ in the CI?
Witnesses should mentally return to the original crime scene and imagine the environment and their emotions
2.9 What is the purpose of the ‘Reverse the order’ technique?
To prevent reporting expectations or dishonesty by recalling events in a different sequence
2.9 How does ‘Change perspective’ assist in the CI?
Witnesses recall the incident from others’ perspectives to disrupt expectations and schema effects
2.9 What is the enhanced cognitive interview?
An improved version of the CI that includes social dynamics of interaction and additional techniques
2.9 What are some key elements of the ECI?
Establishing eye contact appropriately
Reducing eyewitness anxiety
Minimising disractions
Encouraging slow speech
Asking open-ended questions
2.9 What did the meta-analysis by Gunter Kohnken et al. (1999) reveal about the CI? (AO3)
The CI resulted in an average 41% increase in accurate information compared to standard interviews
Shows that the CI is an effective technique in helping witnesses to recall information that is stored in the memory but not immediately accessible
2.9 What is a counterpoint to the effectiveness of the CI? (AO3)
An increase in the amount of inaccurate information recalled, particularly in the ECI
This means that police officers should treat eyewitness evidence from CI/ECI’s with caution
2.9 What limitation did Milne and Bull (2002) find regarding the CI techniques? (AO3)
Not all elements are equally effective; a combination of report everything and reinstating the context produced the best recall
This casts some doubts on the credibility of the overall CI
2.9 Why might police officers be reluctant to use the CI? (AO3)
It is time-consuming and requires more training than the standard police interview
Suggests that the CI as it exists is not a realistic method for police officers to use and it might be better to focus on just a few key elements
2.9 What does the ‘Pick and Mix’ approach refer to in the context of the CI? (AO3)
Police forces adapt various techniques from the CI, making it hard to compare effectiveness in research
It means that individuals can develop their own approach according to what works best for them
