Topic 6 - The Psychology of Interviewing and Eyewitnesses

Question 1

standard vs. non-standard speech style

Answer 1

refers to the degree to which an individual employs non-normative words and phrases (e.g., slang)

Question 2

direct vs. indirect speech

Answer 2

refers to the degree to which an individual is explicit in their communication

Question 3

powerful vs. non-powerful speech

and

what are the indicators - 3

Answer 3

refers to the degree to which an individual speaks with authority.

indicators:
- tag questions: inclusion of a question at the end of a statement
- intensifiers - inclusion of words or phrases that over emphasize the statement
- hedges - inclusion of words or phrases that indicate a level of being unsure

Question 4

perceptual set

Answer 4

suggests that a target’s perception of a communication will be impacted by their current mindset.

Question 5

stress

Answer 5

suggests that a target’s percetion of a communciation will be negatively imapcted if they are too stressed or too relaxed

Yerkes Dodson Principle

Question 6

Paralanguage

Answer 6

Non verbal cues of the voice

Question 7

Oculesics

Answer 7

Eye contact

length and intensity of contact

Question 8

Kinesics

Answer 8

Body language

non verbal body movements that express meaning

Question 9

Ekman

Answer 9

Facial expressions

anger, fear, disgust, surprise, happiness, sadness

Question 10

proxemics

Answer 10

interpersonal space

Question 11

Gestures and what are the four types

Answer 11

specific signs or motions used to enhance communication

emblems
illustrators
affect displays
regulators

Question 12

intimate distance fo personal space

Answer 12

15-45cm

high level of comfort and trust

Question 13

personal distance

Answer 13

46-100cm

moderate level of trust and comfort

Question 14

social distance

Answer 14

1-4m

professional level

Question 15

public distance

Answer 15

4-8m

formal level of interaction

Question 16

haptics - touch

what are the 6 main types

Answer 16

• Positive – contact meant to convey approval (pat on the back)
• Negative – contact meant to convey disapproval (spanking)
• Control – contact meant to establish or maintain dominance (grabbing of arm)
• Playful – contact meant to convey fun (tickling)
• Ritualistic – contact initiated as part of a social convention (handshake)
• Task-Related – contact related to the successful completion of an objective (dance positioning)

Question 17

questioning

Answer 17

• establishing a rapport with the person (especially through the use of active listening)
• ensuring questions are in fact questions
• ensuring every question is specific and has a purpose
• ensuring communication is clear
• ensuring that any potential psychological and/or physical barriers to communication are minimised

Question 18

interviewing

Answer 18

• managing the environment (good investigator/bad investigator)
• establishing control of the interaction
• maintaining control of the interaction
• detecting deception – use of non-verbal (e.g., eye contact) and verbal indicators (e.g., complexity, repetition)

Question 19

forensic challenges with interviewing

Answer 19

• deception – research indicates that, as a whole, serious offenders are very practiced at deception and are therefore difficult to read
• lack of motivation – often difficult to accurately “read” offenders given that there is very little motivation for them to communicate with legal representatives (especially in the US)
• self-monitoring – difficult to gain an accurate assessment based on communication if the individual is a high self-monitor and is motivated to engage in the process (i.e., wants something). Especially difficulty if you have sporadic opportunities to assess.

Question 20

what are high self monitors

Answer 20

1. accurate and quick profilers – can gain an accurate and quick picture of an individual, usually through observation & effective questioning
2. effective actors – have an ability to alter who they appear to be based on who they are communicating with
3. willing & motivated – they are willing and motivated to engage in steps 1 & 2 in order to gain what they want
   * Best approach for “unmasking” a high self-monitor is the use of deep questions as well as intense or prolonged observation

Question 21

what is the best approach for unmasking a high self monitor

Answer 21

the use of deep questions as well as intense or prolonged observation