Educing Information: Interrogation - National Intelligence University

Social Events
The first type of social influence that an interrogation exerts upon the subject
is isolation from his or her family and friends. 221 Interrogation manuals commonly
place great emphasis on isolating the suspect from any external influence that may
reduce his or her willingness to confess. 222 The second kind of social influence,
police pressure, relates to the nature of the interrogation itself. 223 As is illustrated
by the Reid Model described above, the social process and interaction between
interrogator and subject is an important factor in obtaining a confession. In this
context, the immediate consequence of confessing is social reinforcement by
the police interrogators, who might praise the subject for cooperation and for
owning up to what he or she has done. 224 Additionally, the subject may be allowed
access to visitors such as family members and, in some cases, may be allowed
to go home. 225 The long-term consequences commonly involve the defendant’s
having to come to terms with social disapproval from the media and the general
public. 226
Emotional Events
Being arrested and brought to a police station is an undoubtedly stressful
event. Generally, suspects can be expected to experience considerable levels of
anxiety and distress, caused mainly by the uncertainty of the situation, the fear
of what will happen at the station, the fear of being locked in a cell, and the fear
of the consequences regarding the offense. 227 There are two distinct emotional
experiences relevant to confessions: guilt and shame. 228 Shame is best viewed as a
degrading, humiliating experience, and it often accompanies a sense of exposure. 229
In contrast, guilt is associated with some real or imagined past transgression that
is inconsistent with the person’s internalized values and standards. 230 Whereas a
feeling of guilt motivates people to confess, a feeling of shame has the reverse
effect. 231 After confessing, suspects may experience a sense of emotional
relief as the immediate pressure is lifted and they have greater certainty about
their immediate future. 232 However, at the prospect that the subject’s role in or
commission of the crime will become known, a feeling of shame sometimes sets
in or becomes exacerbated. 233
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