Concerns in the Interrogation Room: The Effects of Lengthy Questioning on Suggestibility
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The Symposium provides undergraduates from all academic disciplines with an opportunity to share their research with the university community and other guests through conference-style oral presentations. The Symposium represents part of a larger effort of Iowa State University to enhance, support, and celebrate undergraduate research activity.
Though coordinated by the University Honors Program, all undergraduate students are eligible and encouraged to participate in the Symposium. Undergraduates conducting research but not yet ready to present their work are encouraged to attend the Symposium to learn about the presentation process and students not currently involved in research are encouraged to attend the Symposium to learn about the broad range of undergraduate research activities that are taking place at ISU.
The first Symposium was held in April 2007. The 39 students who presented research and their mentors collectively represented all of ISU's Colleges: Agriculture and Life Sciences, Business, Design, Engineering, Human Sciences, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, and the Graduate College. The event has grown to regularly include more than 100 students presenting on topics that span the broad range of disciplines studied at ISU.
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Abstract
Previous research has indicated that false confessions can be coerced in a laboratory setting (Kassin & Kiechel, 1996; Madon et al., 2011). While the effect of proximal and distal consequences have been shown to have an effect on false confessions, little research has been done to examine the role of suggestibility in these situations, a factor shown to be of importance in interrogative situations (Gudjonsson, 1984; Klaver, Lee, & Rose, 2008). While suggestibility has typically been viewed as a trait, it is conceivable that situational factors could affect suggestibility. Therefore, it is possible that elements of the interrogation context may serve to increase suggestibility, thereby increasing the likelihood of confession. This research tests the hypothesis that lengthy and unpleasant questioning regarding one’s guilt pertaining to engaging in illegal and unethical behavior serves to increase suggestibility. Results are discussed with respect to the implications for determining best practices for police interrogation.