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An Experimental Analysis of Children's Ability to Provide a False Report about a Crime

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Innocence and resisting confession during interrogation: effects on physiologic activity.

Max Guyll¹, Stephanie Madon, Yueran Yang

¹Department of Psychology, Iowa State University.

Law and Human Behavior

|August 7, 2013

Summary

Innocent suspects show lower stress during interrogation but resisting confession depletes physiological resources. This may lead innocent individuals to falsely confess due to underestimated threats and resource exhaustion.

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Area of Science:

Psychology
Forensic Science
Physiology

Background:

Innocent individuals may not perceive interrogation as a threat, potentially impairing their self-protection strategies.
The physiological cost of resisting interrogation and pressure to confess is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To compare the stress responses of innocent versus guilty suspects during interrogation.
To investigate whether refusing to confess depletes physiological resources.

Main Methods:

Experimentally manipulated guilt and innocence in 132 participants.
Participants underwent interrogation and pressure to confess.
Quantified stress reactions using systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory sinus arrhythmia, and preejection period.

Main Results:

Innocent suspects exhibited significantly lower stress responses (SBP, DBP, HR, RSA) compared to guilty suspects.
Innocent suspects who refused to confess showed increased sympathetic nervous system activation (shorter PEPs) than confessors.

Conclusions:

Innocent suspects may underestimate the risks associated with interrogation.
Resisting confession can deplete physiological resources, potentially increasing the likelihood of false confessions.