The Cognitive Interview

Question 1

What is the cognitive interview

Answer 1

A method of interviewing to help EW retrieve more accurate memories.
Used 4 main techniques

Question 2

1. Report everything

Answer 2

Every single detail even if they thing it’s irrelevant as it may act as cue for important memories

Question 3

2. Reinstate the context

Answer 3

Helps them return to the original crime scene in their mind

Relevant due to context dependant forgetting

Question 4

3. Reverse the order

Answer 4

Different chronological order to the original sequence

-prevents people stating what they expected to happen

Question 5

4. Change perspective

Answer 5

Other people’s view, disrupts the effects of expectations and schemas

Question 6

What is the enhanced cognitive interview

Answer 6

Fisher et al (1987)

Focus on social dynamics

• eye contact
• reduce anxiety
• get witness 2 speak openly

Question 7

Evaluation - the CI is time consuming

Answer 7

Police may be reluctant because it takes much more time than standard police interview

• more time needed to establish rapport
• unlikely that the proper version of the CI is actually used

Question 8

Evaluation - some elements might be more valuable than others

Answer 8

Milne and bull 2000
Found that
- report everything
- reinstate context
Helped more

Question 9

Fisher et al

Answer 9

Found that 47% more facts overall compared to the standards interview

Increased help