University of Twente Student Theses
The Influences of Gradual and Late Disclosure of Evidence and Guilt and Innocence of a Suspect on Verbal Cues to Deception and Cognitive Load
Herrema, Jennifer Allisa (2025) The Influences of Gradual and Late Disclosure of Evidence and Guilt and Innocence of a Suspect on Verbal Cues to Deception and Cognitive Load.
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| Abstract: | Police interviews are an integral part of gathering investigation-relevant information, but the way police interviews are held differs greatly. This study looks at two interviewing tactics, and their roles in cognitive load and assessing deception. Specifically, the effects of evidence disclosure timing (gradual or late) and suspect status (guilty or innocent) on cognitive load and the verbal cues to deception were investigated. Cognitive load was assessed by a questionnaire that captured two elements of cognitive load: the suspect’s ability to verbalize their thoughts and memory facilitation. The verbal cues to deception were divided into three categories: the total number of verbal cues, Statement-Evidence Inconsistencies (SEI), and Within Statement Inconsistencies (WSI). The research consisted of online experiments that included a simulated police interview and a questionnaire. Four 2x2 ANOVA’s were performed to test the effects, one to test for cognitive load, and the other three for the respective categories of verbal cues to deception. It was found that disclosure timing had no significant effect on cognitive load or on any of the verbal cues related to deception. However, suspect status had a significant effect on cognitive load, the total verbal cues to deception, SEI, and WSI. There was no significant interaction effect of disclosure type and suspect status on cognitive load or verbal cues to deception, and a weak correlation was found between cognitive load and verbal cues to deception. Additionally, a weak correlation was found between the SEIs and WSIs. These findings contribute to research in the police interviewing process by showing that the evidence disclosure type, late or gradual, does not differentiate in impact on cognitive load. Furthermore, they are roughly equally effective in differentiating between innocent and guilty suspects. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 77 psychology |
| Programme: | Psychology BSc (56604) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/104951 |
| Export this item as: | BibTeX EndNote HTML Citation Reference Manager |
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