Psychological Profiling: Key Concepts and Communication

Flashcards covering key concepts from psychological profiling, dress and perception, VAK learning styles, NLP, cognitive interview techniques, EWT, and related research.

Psychological profiling

The analysis and measurement of a person’s personality and behavioural patterns in a given situation, often using psychometric testing; used in roles like management and by law enforcement to build a psychological portrait.

Psychometric testing

A method used to measure an individual’s personality or behavioral traits in a specific context.

Criminal profiler

A professional who analyzes crime details, evidence, and witness testimony to identify suspect behaviour patterns and create a psychological portrait.

First impression (Seven Seconds)

The idea that people form quick judgments about others within about seven seconds of meeting.

Dress as communication

The concept that what a person wears communicates information about them, including social class, occupation, and attitude.

Roach-Higgins 1992

Research arguing that dress is a medium of communication and influences others’ perceptions.

Benling et al. 1991

Study showing that clothing affected impressions of intelligence and academic ability (e.g., jeans vs. suits).

Visual, Auditory, Kinaesthetic (VAK)

Three representational systems for learning/communication; people have preferences for seeing, hearing, or touching information.

Visual learning/communication

A preference for information received through sight—diagrams, displays, pictures.

Auditory learning/communication

A preference for information received through listening—spoken words, sounds, repetition aids recall.

Kinaesthetic learning/communication

A preference for hands-on experience—touching, doing, physical manipulation.

NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming)

A model of interpersonal communication linking patterns of behaviour to internal experiences; includes six representational systems.

Context Reinstatement (CR)

Mental re-creation of the event’s context to aid memory recall during an interview.

Report Everything (RE)

Encouraging witnesses to report every detail they can recall, even if it seems trivial.

Recall from Changed Perspective (CP)

Asking the witness to describe the event from a different viewpoint to elicit additional details.

Recall in reverse order

Asking the witness to recount the event in reverse or non-chronological order to improve recall.

Cognitive Interview

A structured interview technique designed to enhance the accuracy of eye-witness memory by using CR, RE, CP, and reverse-order recall.

Eye Witness Testimony (EWT)

The account given by someone who witnessed an event; cognitive interview techniques aim to improve its reliability.

Fisher et al. (1989)

Research showing that real interviews often used rapid, direct, close-ended questions; helped establish cognitive interview principles to improve recall.

Geiselman et al. (1985)

Study showing the cognitive interview significantly increased information recalled in simulated crime scenarios compared with standard interviews.

Non-verbal communication / body language

Communication through movements, gestures, facial expressions, and posture; important in profiling and interviewing.

Social-class inference from dress

The idea that attire can lead to assumptions about a person’s social class, job, or credibility (e.g., suits vs tracksuits).

Seven Seconds to Impress (learning activity)

Classroom exercise illustrating how quickly impressions can form and influence interview performance.