Psychology of law
13. Which aspect of police interrogation procedures do you consider to be most troublesome or problematic? Why? Support your position with evidence
I believe the aspect of police interrogations that is most troublesome is the coercive aspect. The reason I believe this is a serious problem is some interviewees are more susceptible to giving false confessions than others, even under the slightest pressure from police. Children, teenagers, the mentally handicapped, drug users, and people with psychological problems may be the most vulnerable. Even though psychological coercion is the primary cause of police-induced false confessions, individuals differ in their ability to withstand interrogation pressure and thus in their susceptibility to making false confessions. All other things being equal, those who are highly suggestible or compliant are more likely to confess falsely. Interrogative suggestibility tends to be heightened by sleep deprivation, fatigue, and drug or alcohol withdrawal. Individuals who are highly compliant tend to be conflict avoidant, acquiescent, and eager to please others, especially authority figures. With these coercive tactics, the police play on these weaknesses and pray on the individuals. This is a problem even if the individual is in fact guilty but is much more of a problem when the individual is innocent and gives a false confession.
Authorities, researchers and the media have focused a growing awareness of incidences of coerced false confessions, as well as the associated personal and legal implications involved. The Innocence Project, a non-profit legal clinic that assists those wrongfully convicted of crimes, claims that 8% of wrongful convictions are due to forced confessions prompted by police. Consequently, measures have been taken to try and reduce their frequency. There are many aspects in which coercive tactics are problematic but for the sake of this essay I will focus solely on its leading to false confessions.
I believe the aspect of police interrogations that is most troublesome is the coercive aspect. The reason I believe this is a serious problem is some interviewees are more susceptible to giving false confessions than others, even under the slightest pressure from police. Children, teenagers, the mentally handicapped, drug users, and people with psychological problems may be the most vulnerable. Even though psychological coercion is the primary cause of police-induced false confessions, individuals differ in their ability to withstand interrogation pressure and thus in their susceptibility to making false confessions. All other things being equal, those who are highly suggestible or compliant are more likely to confess falsely. Interrogative suggestibility tends to be heightened by sleep deprivation, fatigue, and drug or alcohol withdrawal. Individuals who are highly compliant tend to be conflict avoidant, acquiescent, and eager to please others, especially authority figures. With these coercive tactics, the police play on these weaknesses and pray on the individuals. This is a problem even if the individual is in fact guilty but is much more of a problem when the individual is innocent and gives a false confession.
Authorities, researchers and the media have focused a growing awareness of incidences of coerced false confessions, as well as the associated personal and legal implications involved. The Innocence Project, a non-profit legal clinic that assists those wrongfully convicted of crimes, claims that 8% of wrongful convictions are due to forced confessions prompted by police. Consequently, measures have been taken to try and reduce their frequency. There are many aspects in which coercive tactics are problematic but for the sake of this essay I will focus solely on its leading to false confessions.