2.1.19

Cognitive Interview - Geiselman & Fisher

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Geiselman & Fisher (1985) - Laboratory Test

Geiselman & Fisher (1985) carried about a laboratory experiment to test the cognitive interview technique.

Research method

Research method

  • 240 participants watched a video of a store robbery.
  • 120 were interviewed using the standard police interview and 120 using the cognitive interview technique.
Research results

Research results

  • Participants interviewed using the cognitive interview technique recalled 35% more facts.
Research conclusions

Research conclusions

  • The cognitive interview technique is a more effective method of interviewing witnesses than the standard police interview.
Evaluation

Evaluation

  • Strengths
    • Provided evidence to support cognitive interview technique.
    • Highly controlled, easy to replicate.
  • Limitations
    • Lacks ecological validity – not real crime witnesses.

Geiselman & Fisher (1989) - Field Test

Geiselman & Fisher (1989) also tested the cognitive interview in the field.

Procedure

Procedure

  • Used 16 detective interviews with real witnesses from the robbery division of Dade County, Florida, police.
  • Seven of the detectives were trained in the cognitive interview technique (CI).
  • The interviews were recorded and analysed by a team at the University of California, who were blind to the conditions (i.e. they didn’t know if the interview they were analysing was by a trained CI detective or not).
  • The information gathered by the two groups of detectives was collated.
Results & conclusions

Results & conclusions

  • Results: 63% more information was obtained by the detectives trained in CI.
  • Conclusion: Cognitive interview techniques do seem to work as more information is gathered. This could help the police solve more crimes.
Evaluation

Evaluation

  • Strengths
    • Ecological validity.
    • Practical applications.
  • Limitations
    • Do not know if 63% more information was useful information that might help solve crimes.
    • Individual differences in skill of detectives carrying out interviews.
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