cognitive interviews

• principles :

  1. memories are context dependent
  2. memories can be accessed in a number of ways
• differences to standard interviews

  -no set questions

  -no time limit (so no pressure)

  -open questions

  -interviewer remains silent, won't interrupt

  -record proceedings & take notes

  -clarification & elaboration only sought when recall ended
• 4 techniques :

  1. reinstate context
  2. change the sequence
  3. change the perspective
  4. report everything
• reinstate context - memories context dependent

  -will bring up right cues
• change the sequence - ensure important details aren't missed out
• change the perspective - provides another 'route' to memory
• report everything - unrestrained details may bring up important details (even if seem useless)
• milne et al. - AIM

  -investigate accuracy of cognitive interviews
• milne et al. - PROCEDURE

  -in one study Ps viewed a film of a violent crime

  -after 48 hours, interviewed by policeman using cognitive or standard interview

  -number of facts accurately recalled and number of errors made recorded
• milne et al. - FINDINGS

  -average number of correctly recalled facts for cognitive was 40.5

  -standard was 30

  -no significant difference in number of errors
• milne et al. - CONCLUSION

  -cognitive interviews produce more accurately recalled facts

  -without increase in errors