Interrogations-and-Confessions-Handbook

The Psychology of False Confession: Research and Theoretical Issues 199
‘a trance-like state of heightened suggestibility’, similar to that found in hypnosis
(Foster, 1969), whereas the other proposed process results from changes in
‘self-perception’ and relates to the classic work of Bem (1966) and Lepper (1982).
The precise factors that determine whether or not a false confession is going
to become internalized are not fully understood. One powerful determining
factor is probably the type of interrogation technique utilized by the interviewer.
Kassin and Wrightsman argue, on the basis of ‘self-perception’ theory
(Lepper, 1982), that coerced–compliant false confessions are most likely to occur
when ‘powerful and highly salient techniques of social control’ are utilized,
whereas ‘internalization is best achieved through more subtle, less coercive
methods’ (p. 77). Similar arguments have been put forward by Bem (1967) in
relation to false confession.
Ofshe (1989) attempted to explore the process whereby people come to falsely
believe, as the result of interrogation, that they have committed a serious crime
for which they have no memory. He looked closely at four cases of coerced–
internalized false confessors and stated:
The four people whose interrogations are commented on here are victims of the
unconscious use of the sorts of interrogation tactics commonly practised throughout
the United States. All four displayed substantial belief change and, for varying
periods of time, became convinced that they had committed the crimes of which
they were accused. They each came to believe in their guilt and acted on this belief
by confessing. They confessed despite having no memory of the crime that they
had supposedly committed (p. 3).
Ofshe argues the primary mechanism consists of inducing sufficient self-doubt
and confusion in the suspects’ mind which permits the alteration in their perceptions
of reality. This involves the interrogator successfully convincing the
suspects of the following.
1. There is incontrovertible evidence that they committed the crime they are
accused of, even though they have no recollection of it.
2. That there is a good and valid reason why they have no memory of having
committed the crime.
The types of interrogation technique and tactic that appear to increase the
likelihood of coerced–internalized false confessions are as follows.
1. The interrogator repeatedly states, with great confidence, his belief in the
suspect’s guilt.
2. The suspect is isolated from people who undermine or contradict the interrogator’s
premise of the suspect’s guilt. In addition, information that
contradicts the interrogator’s premise is concealed from the suspect.
3. Typically there is lengthy interrogation and considerable emotional intensity.
4. The interrogator repeatedly claims that there is incontrovertible scientific
proof of the suspect’s guilt.
5. The suspect is repeatedly reminded about his or her previous memory
problems or blackouts, when these exist. When these do not exist the