A03 - Memory - The Cognitive Memory Flashcards
A strength of the cognitive interview is that there is supportive empirical evidence suggesting that it effectively improves EWT.
E – Kohnken et al (1999) organised a meta-analysis that combined data from 55 studies and the cognitive interview provided more correct information consistently than a standard interview from the police. The average increase was 34%.
E – This increases the theory’s validity because there’s research evidence to support its predictions.
Furthermore, it shows real practical use within improving the likelihood that the police will charge and catch the criminals.
L – Therefore the CI benefits society because it could have an impact on the criminal justice system.
A limitation of the cognitive interview is that there is contradictory research.
E – Kohnken et al (1999) found an increase of 81% correct information but also an increase of 61% incorrect information, known as false positives.
This is where the enhanced cognitive interview was used in order to compare it with a standard interview.
E – This shows that the cognitive interview produces more information, but it can’t be sure whether the information is accurate.
L – This shows that caution should be applied when police collect information from cognitive interviews because they are at a higher risk of collecting inaccurate information compared to a standard interview.
A limitation of the cognitive interview is that evidence suggests that some elements of it are more valuable than others.
E - Milne and Bull (2002) found that every element was independently better than a standard interview by the police.
However, using ‘context reinstatement’ and ‘report everything’ produced better recall than any other conditions. This supports the views of the police that some elements are more useful than others.
E – These findings could be used to improve the cognitive interview for the police force who have limited resources and time because they only use two elements.
L – This improves the credibility of cognitive interview
within the police force by not using the useless elements.
A limitation of the cognitive interview is that it is very time consuming and takes more time than the standard police interview.
E - Kebbell and Wagstaff (1999) found that a lot of police officers don’t use cognitive interview techniques in less serious crimes due to time pressures.
Time is needed to establish a rapport with the witness, the incident needs to be investigated from several perspectives which might take longer to conduct. In addition, more training is needed for the police officer.
E – It isn’t effective with children because they are limited to an egocentric perspective.
Therefore, they are unable to consider a changed perspective.
L – Therefore it is a good academic theory, but it might have limited practical use which will limit its usefulness.
