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Kylie witnessed a crime and had to go to the police station for an interview - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 10 - 2018 - Paper 2
Question 10
Kylie witnessed a crime and had to go to the police station for an interview. The crime involved a robbery of a shop in a busy shopping centre. Kylie was walking pas... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Kylie witnessed a crime and had to go to the police station for an interview - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 10 - 2018 - Paper 2
Step 1
How does reinstating the context help gather information?
Answer
Reinstating the context is a vital component of cognitive interviews. This process allows witnesses to recall sensory details about the environment and their emotions during the event. Kylie's recollection of elements such as sounds or smells from the shopping center would be enhanced. Such environmental cues can jog her memory, providing more accurate details about the robbery.
Step 2
Why is free recall important in a cognitive interview?
Answer
Encouraging witnesses to engage in free recall enables them to recount their experiences without interruptions. In Kylie's case, allowing her to express her narrative freely first can give vital insights into her memories. After the free recall phase, the interviewer can follow up with specific questions based on Kylie's own accounts.
Step 3
What techniques enhance the accuracy of Kylie's responses?
Answer
The interviewer might employ various techniques such as asking Kylie to visualize the scene from different perspectives or recall events in a different order, which can help to fill gaps in her memory. This approach allows her to access different aspects of her memory and may lead to discovering further significant details about the crime.
Step 4
What research supports the efficacy of cognitive interviews?
Answer
Research by Geiselman et al. (1985) demonstrates that cognitive interviews generate more accurate and complete recollections compared to traditional methods. Their findings suggest a significant advantage in recalling factual information when witnesses engage in cognitive interviews. Similarly, Holliday (2003) noted that cognitive interviews yielded better results than standard interviewing techniques, indicating their effectiveness in real-life scenarios.