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Related Experiment Videos

Selecting accurate statements from the cognitive interview using confidence ratings.

Wayne T Roberts1, Philip A Higham

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, Canada.

Journal of Experimental Psychology. Applied
|May 15, 2002
PubMed
Summary

High confidence eyewitness statements are more accurate, especially for relevant details in criminal investigations. However, the cognitive interview method elicited only half of the crucial information.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Forensic Science
  • Eyewitness Testimony

Background:

  • Eyewitness testimony is crucial in legal proceedings.
  • Assessing the accuracy of recall and confidence is vital for justice.
  • The cognitive interview is a widely used technique to enhance memory retrieval.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the accuracy of eyewitness recall using the cognitive interview.
  • To examine the relationship between confidence and accuracy in eyewitness accounts.
  • To differentiate the accuracy of relevant versus peripheral information.

Main Methods:

  • Participants watched a simulated murder video.
  • Recall and confidence were assessed one week later using the cognitive interview.
  • Statements were categorized as relevant or peripheral by forensic experts.

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Main Results:

  • High-confidence statements were more accurate than all statements.
  • Accuracy benefits were concentrated on relevant information; peripheral details showed the opposite pattern.
  • The confidence-accuracy correlation was stronger for relevant than peripheral details.
  • Focused retrieval phases yielded more peripheral and less relevant information.
  • Only 50% of relevant information was recalled, primarily in the initial phase.

Conclusions:

  • Confidence can be a useful, though not perfect, indicator of accuracy for relevant details.
  • The cognitive interview may need refinement to maximize retrieval of critical information.
  • Forensic experts' categorization of information relevance aids in understanding accuracy patterns.