Cognitive Interview – Fisher & Geiselman Flashcards
(11 cards)
What is the aim of the Cognitive Interview (CI) developed by Fisher & Geiselman (1984)?
To improve eyewitness accuracy using principles of memory retrieval.
What is the ‘Report Everything’ technique in CI?
Witnesses recall all details, even trivial ones, as they might trigger important memories.
What does the ‘Reinstate the Context’ step involve?
Witnesses mentally recreate the crime scene, including environmental and emotional cues.
What is the purpose of ‘Reverse the Order’?
To recall events in a different sequence to prevent false assumptions.
Why is ‘Change Perspective’ used in CI?
To view events from others’ perspectives, reducing bias and enhancing accuracy.
What is the Enhanced Cognitive Interview (ECI)?
A version of CI that includes social dynamics like reducing anxiety and building rapport.
What evidence supports the effectiveness of CI?
Kohnken et al. (1999) found a 41% increase in correct information using CI over standard interviews.
What’s a limitation of the evidence for CI effectiveness?
CI can also increase incorrect details, so careful police training is essential.
Are all CI techniques equally useful?
No. Milne & Bull (2002) found that ‘report everything’ and ‘reinstate context’ were most effective.
What makes CI less practical for all police forces?
It is time-consuming and requires extensive training (Kebbell & Wagstaff, 1997).
How does variability in CI use affect its evaluation?
Different modifications by agencies reduce standardization, limiting research reliability.
