Christian A. Meissner, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology Iowa State - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Christian A. Meissner, Ph.D.

Professor of Psychology Iowa State University

Customary Knowledge

Experience Shared Knowledge Laws / Regulations

Scientific Knowledge Theory Systematic Study Replication

a circumstance that prevents something, especially a system or process, from continuing as usual or expected

www.innocenceproject.org The National Registry of Exonerations

Since there had been little or no development of sustained capacity by the government for interrogation practice, training, or research in the post-Soviet period, many interrogators were forced to “make it up” on the fly. This shortfall in advanced, research- based interrogation methods at a time

• f intense pressure … may have

contributed significantly to the unfortunate cases of abuse that have recently come to light.

Training manuals, materials, and anecdotes contain information about common and recommended interrogation practices … but virtually none of those documents cites or relies upon any original research, and no scientific research substantiates the effectiveness of these approaches. It also even appears that some of the conventional wisdom that has guided training and policy for half a century is at odds with existing scientific knowledge.

Experience and lessons learned offer a necessary, but insufficient, basis for determining the effectiveness of interrogation practices. A program of scientific research on interrogation practices is both necessary and highly

• feasible. Researchers have diverse

venues available to investigate interrogation practices. Such a research program should combine experimental research with a substantial effort to perform independent and objective analyses of specific interrogation results.

High-Value Detainee Interrogation Group

Mission of the HIG is to deploy the best interrogation resources against terrorism suspects identified as having information with the greatest potential to prevent terrorist attacks against the U.S. and its allies The HIG also serves as the locus for interrogation best practices, lessons learned, and research for the U.S. Government

HIG Research Program

The goals of the HIG research program include evaluating the effectiveness of existing interrogation techniques, and developing new, science-based approaches that improve the collection of information All HIG research is unclassified and subjected to review by Human Subjects Research Committees

HIG Research Program

Since the HIG research program began in 2010, it has awarded more than 100 contracts and coordinated with more than 35 research teams around the world Projects have resulted in more than 100 publications in leading scientific journals and edited volumes Partnerships with federal training facilities and with federal and local law enforcement agencies have been critical to the programs success

Rapport Influence Elicitation

Evidence Presentation Culture & Language Sensemaking Contextual Priming Credibility Assessment

Laboratory

from theory to experimental research

Training Academy

efficacy vs. “current practice”

Field Observations

effectiveness of current practice

Laboratory

from theory to experimental research

Training Academy

efficacy vs. “current practice”

Validate Training

“train the trainer” & assess efficacy

Field Observations

effectiveness of current practice

Laboratory

from theory to experimental research

Training Academy

efficacy vs. “current practice”

Validate Training

“train the trainer” & assess efficacy

Field Validation

effectiveness & adherence

Developing a science-based model of interrogation… Closing the translational loop: A training validation study…

Systems Thinking

Systems Thinking

Review of Source & Information Obtain Cooperation or Compliance Elicit Information Assess Credibility Decide on Next Step

Social influence Memory & Use

• f Mnemonics

Cues to Deception Investigation & Analysis

a linear determined system that produces controllable, predictable outcomes

Interrogation

Kleinman, Meissner, & Phillips

Interrogation

Kleinman, Meissner, & Phillips

adaptive systems involve multiple agents that produce reinforcing and balance feedback loops such systems are often competitive and policy resistant

Interrogation

Kleinman, Meissner, & Phillips

complex systems are emergent and less predictable they involve multiple subsystems with recursive feedbacks

Interrogation

Kleinman, Meissner, & Phillips

sensemaking is our attempt to make meaning of experience, including the construction and updating of mental models, evaluating feedback, and making informed decisions

Interrogation

Kleinman, Meissner, & Phillips

the interaction between actors is influenced by factors at multiple levels, including context, culture, and history

Interrogation

Kleinman, Meissner, & Phillips

the interaction involves a strategically managed relationship and the competitive exchange of information by the actors

Interrogation

Kleinman, Meissner, & Phillips

Kleinman, Meissner, & Phillips

a competitive system that is policy resistant: attempts to control by one actor produce intensification by the other the leverage point for such systems is counterintuitive... mutual trust, shared goals, and lessening control is most effective in achieving an outcome

Kleinman, Meissner, & Phillips

• ne of the most powerful ways to influence

a system is to alter its purpose or goal confirmatory vs. exploratory confession-seeking vs. information-gathering

Identifying Resistance

React actan ance ce

(attempt)

Inertia ia

(chan ange) e)

Skept eptici cism

(mes essag age) e)

Dist stru rust st

(mes essen enger)

Knowles & Linn (2013)

Rapport

interrogators frequently highlight the importance of “rapport” for eliciting confessions and intelligence information … assessments of real-world interrogations document the importance of rapport tactics in producing positive outcomes

Alison et al. (2013, 2014) Goodman-Delahunty et al. (2014) Kelly et al. (2015) Russano et al. (2014)

Tickle-Degnen & Rosenthal (1990)

mutual attention - high degree of involvement that the interviewer and interviewee experience positivity - emotional aspects of liking or respect coordination - reciprocal responses that reflect synchrony, complementarity, or accommodation

Defining Rapport

Duke et al. (2014)

attentiveness respect competence cultural similarity connected "flow"

Defining Rapport

an interrogator-interviewer relationship marked by a constructive degree of respect and mutual affinity based upon an understanding of, perhaps even guarded appreciation for, respective concerns, intentions, and desired outcomes

Kleinman (2006)

Operational Accord

Rapport Tactics Contextual Priming

Developing Rapport

Contextual Priming

Contextual Priming

various behaviors, cognitions, and emotions can be influenced by cues in the environment

physical contexts you may want to avoid:

hot temperatures can promote aggression and negative interpersonal evaluations dark rooms increase dishonesty and aggression hard chairs can reduce emotion, increase rigidity

Contextual Priming

Contextual Priming

physical contexts that may prove helpful:

high/low chairs can emphasize authority/competence comfort foods can make us more relational weighty objects can make decisions feel important

• pen surroundings can influence disclosure

warm cup can facilitate interpersonal warmth

high/low chairs signs of authority expansive posture wearing red

Competence

• pen objects
• pen hands or legs

loose/relaxed clothing

Openness

warm cup blanket Duchenne smile immediacy behaviors contact/exposure mimicry

Warmth

Rapport Tactics Contextual Priming

Developing Rapport

Abbe & Brandon (2013, 2014)

Verbal Tactics self-disclosure affirmations common ground Non-Verbal Tactics contact / exposure immediacy Verbal & Non-Verbal Tactics mimicry active listening

Rapport Tactics

Abbe & Brandon (2013, 2014)

• disclosing personal information

can increase positivity ensure appropriateness, depth over breadth, and be sensitive to source’s response (inappropriate disclosures undermine status)

Verbal Tactics self-disclosure

Rapport Tactics

Abbe & Brandon (2013, 2014)

• inquire about a subject’s values,

beliefs, or experiences that affirm their self-concept

Verbal Tactics self-disclosure affirmations

Rapport Tactics

Abbe & Brandon (2013, 2014)

• highlight overlapping interests,

shared identities, or even superficial / incidental similarities

Verbal Tactics self-disclosure affirmations common ground

Rapport Tactics

Abbe & Brandon (2013, 2014)

• physical contact can promote

closeness, though must be culturally sensitive and contextually relevant

• exposure to someone generally

promotes positive evaluation (unless negative)

Rapport Tactics

Non-Verbal Tactics contact / exposure

Abbe & Brandon (2013, 2014)

• leaning forward, orienting one’s

body toward the source, or reducing the physical distance (must be culturally-appropriate, non-threatening)

Rapport Tactics

Non-Verbal Tactics contact / exposure immediacy

Abbe & Brandon (2013, 2014)

• mirroring non-verbal behavior, simulating speech

rate, or matching linguistic patterns

Rapport Tactics

Verbal & Non-Verbal Tactics mimicry

Abbe & Brandon (2013, 2014)

• reflectives, summarizing, or labeling; nodding

and eye contact

Rapport Tactics

Verbal & Non-Verbal Tactics mimicry active listening

Houston et al. (2014)

Abbe & Brandon (2013, 2014)

Verbal Tactics self-disclosure affirmations common ground Non-Verbal Tactics contact / exposure immediacy Verbal & Non-Verbal Tactics mimicry active listening

Rapport Tactics

Leveraging Influence

Leveraging Influence

Commi mitme ment & C Cons nsistenc ency Affi finity ty Recip iprocit ity Cialdini (2006) people are more likely to exhibit a behavior that they have committed to people follow the recommendations

• f people they like or respect

when a person receives a gift, they are burdened by the desire to give something back

Leveraging Influence

Commi mitme ment & C Cons nsistenc ency Affi finity ty Recip iprocit ity Expe perti tise se & Illus usion

• n o
• f

Knowin ing Soc Socia ial P l Proof Cialdini (2006) we are persuaded by people we perceive as having greater expertise a person’s behavior is influenced by those of others, especially those in their peer group

Leveraging Influence

CARE RES

Commi mitme ment & C Cons nsistenc ency Affi finity ty Recip iprocit ity Expe perti tise se & Illus usion

• n o
• f

Knowin ing Soc Socia ial P l Proof Cialdini (2006)

Houston et al. (2014)

N = 120

Influence

N = 68

Cognitive Trust Affective Trust

.63 Competent Fair Respect Sincere Positive Interest Like Empathy

Kleinman, Oleszkiewicz, Atkinson, & Meissner

AUTONOMY: agent shows acceptance that it is the subject’s choice not to talk or cooperate; prime openness and autonomy in the room. EVOCATION: agent draws out the subject; curious and patient; guides subject to the reasons they hold for cooperating. ACCEPTANCE: extent to which agent communicates unconditional positive regard ADAPTATION: agent adapts to responses of the subject, allows the subject some influence on the agenda of the interview. EMPATHY: extent to which agent attempts to understand the subject’s perspective.

• room-set up
• initial instructions
• warnings
• reflective statements
• encouragers
• paraphrasing
• nonjudgmental words
• listening skills
• being flexible
• echoing words
• reflective listening
• mirroring
• listening position

Alison et al. (2013, 2014)

O A R S

Reflective Listening Summaries Affirmations Open-Ended Questions

Questioning Skills

Alison et al. (2013, 2014)

 T.E.D. Questions  Open Probes  Extension Questions  Specific Probes  Appropriate Closed  Summary

Questioning Skills

Cognitive Interview

30 years of research has now demonstrated that a “cognitive interview” approach can dramatically increase the amount of correct information recalled

Develop rapport and give-up control Encourage “don’t know” and discourage guessing Open-ended, uninterrupted recall Use mnemonic strategies (context reinstatement, varied retrieval, imagery, code-compatible output)

Credibility Assessment

Global bal D Decept eption R Resear arch T Team am ( (2006)

DePaulo et al. (2003)

it turns out that the vast majority of cues are faint and unreliable (including blinking, posture, speech rate, hand movements, and eye contact)

• f the 12 most diagnostic cues, 9 involved verbal
• r story-based cues, 2 involved vocal characteristics,

and only 1 focused on non-verbal behavior

Credibility Assessment

verbal immediacy (-) discrepant or ambivalent information (+) amount of detail (-) uncertainty (+)

• verall nervousness (+)

vocal tension (+) logical structure (-) plausibility (-) vocal frequency/pitch (+) negative statements/complaints (+) verbal involvement (-) contextual embedding (-)

DePaulo et al. (2003)

Credibility Assessment

verbal i imm mmed ediac acy ( (-) discrepant nt or ambivalent nt i informa mation ( n (+) amount t of d deta tail il ( (-) uncertainty ( (+) +) logica cal s struct cture ( (-) plausib ibil ility ity ( (-) verbal involveme ment nt ( (-) context xtual embedding ( g (-)

DePaulo et al. (2003)

Credibility Assessment

Bond & DePaulo (2006)

across hundreds of studies assessing deception detection performance, accuracy was little more than flipping a coin (54%) neither professional training nor experience led to improvement in performance (though they were more confident)

Credibility Assessment

Hauch et al. (2016)

across 30 studies, training to detection deception produced a small, but significant, improvement in performance (compared with a no-training control) training on verbal cues to deception produced the most robust increase in performance, exceeding that of non-verbal and paraverbal cues

Credibility Assessment

two cognitive aspects of lying suggest that strategic interviewing approaches can improve detection: (1) differences in the structure of truthful vs. fabricated memories

Credibility Assessment

Truthful Memories

many details multiple associations picture can change quite a bit depending on perspective taken rich & complex

Fabricated Memories

few details limited associations picture changes little depending upon perspective taken

• ften dull & unelaborated

two cognitive aspects of lying suggest that strategic interviewing approaches can improve detection: (1) differences in the structure of truthful vs. fabricated memories

Credibility Assessment

(2) lying requires executive control (cognitive load)

Cognitive Load

liars must suppress the truth, create a lie, monitor the interviewer’s responses, remember what they have said, and ensure what they report is plausible given both currently known and discoverable information truth-tellers simply must report their memories, they are less concerned with monitoring their responses

• r the plausibility of their story

Vrij & Granhag (2012)

Credibility Assessment

Verifiable Details Model Statement Cognitive Interview Reverse Order Concurrent Task Unanticipated Questions Drawing Planning Timeline

Zimmerman et al. (2011)

Developing a science-based model of interrogation… Closing the translational loop: A training validation study…

Laboratory

from theory to experimental research

Training Academy

efficacy vs. “current practice”

Validate Training

“train the trainer” & assess efficacy

Field Validation

effectiveness & adherence

N = 30

Data Collection Data Collection Data Collection Data Collection Data Collection October 2014 September 2015 3 - 7 November

Field Validation (2014 – 2015)

14 - 19 September 9 - 13 February 30 Mar - 3 Apr

N = 33 N = 30 N = 32

• curriculum was situated within (HIG-supported)

research on interviewing and interrogation

• instructors included practitioner-scientist teams
• practitioners had > 25 years of experience and were

well versed in the relevant scientific literatures

• scientists had conducted research on interviewing

and interrogation

• scientific basis, technique, demonstrations,

and practical exercises

Training

Course Ratings

Preparation to Interview

N = 67

Information Yield Pre-Post Training Cooperation- Resistance Conversational Rapport Accusatorial Cognitive Interview

• AFOSI investigators were trained to successfully

employ science-based methods of interrogation, including conversational rapport tactics and the cognitive interview

• cooperation was produced by conversational rapport

tactics, which directly enhanced information yield

• cooperation allowed investigators to use cognitive

interview tactics to further enhance information yield

Conclusions

Developing a science-based model of interrogation… Closing the translational loop: A training validation study…

www.interrogationscience.org

Christian A. Meissner, Ph.D.

Professor of Psychology Iowa State University cmeissner@iastate.edu