Improving EWT - The Cognitive Interview

Question 1

what’s the cognitive interview?

Answer 1

• developed by Fisher and Geiselman (1992)
• series of memory retrieval and communication techniques designed to improve recall in police interviews
• based on Tulving’s idea that there are several retrieval paths to each memory
• there are four main techniques that are used

Question 2

what are the four main techniques used in a cognitive interview?

Answer 2

1. report everything
2. reinstate the context
3. reverse the order
4. change perspective

Question 3

technique one - report everything

Answer 3

• witnesses are encouraged to include every single detail of the event, even if it seems irrelevant
• details may be important and could trigger other important memories

Question 4

technique two - reinstate the context

Answer 4

• related to Tulving’s encoding specificity principle
• suggests that to enhance recall, retrieval cues should be used
• the witness should return to the original crime scene in their mind
• imagine the environment and remember their emotions

Question 5

technique three - reverse the order

Answer 5

• events should be recalled in a different order to the original sequence
• prevents people from reporting their expectations of how the event must have happened
• prevents dishonesty

Question 6

technique four - change perspective

Answer 6

• witnesses should recall the incident from a different perspective
• disrupts the effect of expectation and schema on recall

Question 7

what’s the enhanced cognitive interview (ECI)?

Answer 7

• Fisher and Geiselman (1987) suggested an amended version of the CI
• developed some additional elements which focused on social dynamics of the interaction
• seeks to build a trusting relationship between the interviewer and witness to improve their communication

Question 8

extra features of the ECI

Answer 8

• asking open questions so the witness controls the flow of information
• knowing when to make eye contact with the witness
• getting the witness to speak slowly
• reminding witness to report everything
• reducing anxiety in witness

Question 9

weakness of the CI - time consuming

Answer 9

• more time consuming than the standard police interview
• more time needed to establish rapport with the witness
• requires special training
• this means it’s unlikely that the ‘proper’ version of the CI is used

Question 10

strength of the CI - support

Answer 10

Geiselman et al (1985)
- found that the CI procedure produced more accurate, detailed memories than the standard police interview
- suggests effectiveness
- highlights practical benefits
- gives police a greater chance of catching and charging criminals, which benefits society as a whole

Question 11

weakness of CI - increase in inaccurate information

Answer 11

Kohnken et al (1999) found an 81% increase of correct information but also a 61% increase of incorrect information when the ECI was compared to a standard police interview

Question 12

strength of ECI - support

Answer 12

Coker (2013)
- found that the ECI technique that stressed the use of focused mental imagery produced increased accurate detail in comparison to the CI
- this effect was greater if the ECI took place one week after the event
- suggests the ECI is an improvement from the CI but that timing is vital to the interview’s success