The Cognitive Interview: An Evaluation

Created by: JessTarling
Created on: 04-05-15 20:54


	The Cognitive Interview: An Evaluation
	Advantages It has been proved by Fisher et al 1989 that cognitive interviews improve performance in witnesses from real crimes. Fisher 1989 also trained detectives in Florida to conduct a cognitive interview and assessed their performances when interviewing witnesses. The findings from the study showed that information gained was 47%.	Disadvantages Issues with the sample used, the specific target population makes it difficult to generalise. Ecological validity due to the artificial setting and lack of emotional impact
	Evaluation The cognitive interview has been supported by research in artificial and real settings as being and effective method of improving the accuracy of EWT. Nevertheless, the supporting research has been criticised. Ethics are an issue as violent crimes shown on video could potentially be distressing for participants. Also the ecological validity is challenged due to the unrealistic setting and lack of emotions that would be present at an actual event. Finally the sample used in Gieselman's study is criticised as they are students. This target population are accustomed to studying so their memory may be better than that of other people, a more general population.

The Cognitive Interview: An Evaluation

Advantages

It has been proved by Fisher et al 1989 that cognitive interviews improve performance in witnesses from real crimes.
Fisher 1989 also trained detectives in Florida to conduct a cognitive interview and assessed their performances when interviewing witnesses. The findings from the study showed that information gained was 47%.

Disadvantages

Issues with the sample used, the specific target population makes it difficult to generalise.
Ecological validity due to the artificial setting and lack of emotional impact

Evaluation

The cognitive interview has been supported by research in artificial and real settings as being and effective method of improving the accuracy of EWT. Nevertheless, the supporting research has been criticised. Ethics are an issue as violent crimes shown on video could potentially be distressing for participants. Also the ecological validity is challenged due to the unrealistic setting and lack of emotions that would be present at an actual event. Finally the sample used in Gieselman's study is criticised as they are students. This target population are accustomed to studying so their memory may be better than that of other people, a more general population.

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The Cognitive Interview: An Evaluation