Understanding the offender, offence and case formulation Flashcards
Describe the cognitive interview technique.
- The technique is designed to maximise the accuracy of information obtained during interviews. The idea behind it is that memory is reconstructive and confabulation may occur. We therefore use our schemas to fill any gaps in our memory.
- establish a good relationship with the witness
- let the witness tell the story without any interuptions
- show them the scene of the crime or use imagination to help transport the witness back
- review all information with the witness
- The cognitive interview tells interviewers to report every detail even if it seems trivial, mentally reinstate the environment and context, report information from a different perspective and in a different order.
- The enhanced interview technique improves communication, limits distractions, uses familiar language and allow a gap in between response and the next question.
Evaluate the cognitive interview technique in terms of supporting research.
Fisher, Geiselman and Amador (1989) used cognitive interview in the field with 16 detectives.
In the first phase some used standardised interviews and in the second phase all were trained in and used cognitive interview.
The interviews were analysed by an independent team who found that the cognitive interview were most effective.
Evaluate the cognitive interview technique in terms of criticisms of the supporting research.
Fisher, Geiselman and Amador (1989) had the results analysed by a team blind to the conditions. This makes the results more objective and scientific making the technique more credible.
Evaluate the cognitive interview technique in terms of a different technique.
The enhanced cognitive interview technique states that a relationship should be established by interviewer and eye witness. This includes a gap between response and next question, limiting distractions and using familiar language.
Evaluate the cognitive interview technique in terms of applications.
Widely used by both police and juries to get the most out of their witnesses.
Evaluate the cognitive interview technique in terms of other points.
Time consuming- may take a lot longer to conduct the interviews which reduces the time that could be spent doing other things. Would be very hard in emotional situations to not ask leading questions and just let them talk.
Also, economic costs are a problem. It may require a lot of training which costs lots.
Describe the ethical interview technique
- Roberts (2012) criticised that police interviewing techniques may have failed to treat suspects with respect and dignity. The interview itself is a social situation and the interviewer may bring their own views to the situation. This type of interview has a focus on building a rapport with suspects in order to avoid negative emotions.
- Planning and prepartation- interviewers should think about the aims and objectives as well as required outcomes before the interview
- Engage and explain- interviewers should attempt to build a rapport with suspects explaining how the interview will take place and answering any questions
- Account- the suspect or witness tells their story. The interviewer should ask questions but not challenge the witness and mainly open questions should be used
- Closure- interviewers should think about bringing the interview to a comfortable conclusion to avoid negative emotions
- Evaluate- the interviewer should evaluate the results of the interview and their performance against the aims to identify other informational needs
Evaluate ethical interviewing in terms of supporting research.
- Kebbell (2010) found evidence that presenting ethical interviewing and displays of humanity were more likely to get a confession compared to interviewer dominance
- Fisher and Geiselman (1992) suggest ethical interviewing to be successful as it involves paying close attention to the individual needs of the person. This improves the detail of the information acquired
Describe the process of psychological formulation.
- Occurs after conviction and is about understanding the offender, analysing the offence and considering what function the offence might have for the individual. This allows for a focus on treatibility and other offender problems
- Case formulation is done by clinical and counselling psychologists and sometimes a forensic psychologist. They look at the criminogenic state and attitudes.
- Causes: what may contribute to the behaviour
- Core beliefs: fundamental thoughts
- Triggers: what was the preceding event
- Situation: was it provoked
- Maintenance cycle: thoughts, feelings, physical symptoms and behaviour
Addiction to crime. This could be linked to tolerance, withdrawral, craving, salience, conflict and relapse.
Evaluate the process of psychological formulation in terms of supporting research.
Support from McKnight et al (1984). Found that case formulations were able to predict which treatments would and wouldn’t be effective. This suggests that case formulations can have predictive validity
Evaluate the process of psychological formulation in terms of criticisms of the supporting research.
Data may lack validity as it is often self report data and so relies on the offender reporting honestly. Therefore, there may be social desireability bias where the participants give false answers to make themselves look better to society.
The case formulation can be developed by more than one practitioner. Other psychologists could evaluate them to see if they agree with the findings. Therefore there can be good inter-rater reliability.
Evaluate the process of psychological formulation in terms of criticisms of the opposing research.
Hanson and Wallace Capretta (2000). They found that ‘batterers’ changed their attitudes when treated but the self-reported improvements were associated with increased recidivism. This suggests that it may make offenders more aware of their behaviours but fails to teach them how to stop the behaviour.
Evaluate the process of psychological formulation in terms of criticisms of applications.
Beneficial to an offender. It aims to build up a picture of the individuals in order to find a treatment. This helps to reduce recidivism.
However, it may not be accepted by an offender. They may disagree with some of the judgements that are made about them. this may make them less willing to comply with treatment plans.
Evaluate the process of psychological formulation in terms of criticisms of other points.
Formulation may be limited. Some individuals may have a disorder that is unknown to them and therefore goes unreported. This limits the range of information that the psychologist has access to.
Describe the Risk-Needs-Responsibiity model (RNR)
- Risk element focuses on the treatment must be at a level that matches the risk of reoffending
- Needs principle is about the criminogenic factors, the causes of offending
- Responsibility is that the treatment must match the offender in terms of their learning styles and motivation to change
- Consistently produced positive reults in reducing recidivist behaviour by offenders.
