The effects of suspiciousness and anger on suggestibility

In this paper three criminal cases are presented where a suspicious 'cognitive set' or anger during experimental interrogation appeared to have a dramatic effect on their general tendency towards suggestibility. The subjects were used as their own control, as their susceptibility to suggestions had been tested objectively on two separate occasions; on one occasion they proved very resistant to suggestions, this being clearly associated with temporary suspiciousness or anger; on the other occasion, when no obvious suspiciousness or anger was evident, they proved highly suggestible. The theoretical and forensic implications of the findings are discussed.