Destructive Organizational Psychology and Cognitive Interview Techniques

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture notes on organizational psychology and cognitive interviewing techniques.

Central Thesis

Theories in organizational psychology can help dismantle criminal teams and organizations.

Anarchic Networks

Criminal networks that are fluid and unstable in contrast to legitimate organizations.

Interaction in Crime

Most criminal activities involve interactions between individuals, especially in property crimes.

Criminal Organizations

Groups that exist to achieve specific objectives, requiring collaboration among members.

Member Motivation

Factors motivating involvement in criminal organizations, beyond financial gain include social benefits.

Structural Dynamics

Differentiation of roles and responsibilities among members in organizations.

Leadership Role Complexity

The multifaceted functions leaders fulfill, including directing and motivating members.

Communication Vulnerability

Importance for ensuring efficiency; poor communication can lead to confusion in criminal organizations.

Size and Efficiency

Larger organizations face greater challenges, including communication breakdowns.

Control Issues

Monitoring and managing larger structures becomes increasingly difficult.

Alienation Risk

Peripheral members may feel less committed and more prone to inform on criminal organizations.

Hierarchy Strengths

Strong organizations provide control but may fail under pressure, risking breakdown in communication.

Reciprocal Anarchy

A strategy which leads to loosely structured criminal groups that are difficult to disrupt.

Morale Targeting

Instead of direct assaults, using strategies to undermine psychological commitment in organizations.

Psychological Warfare

Tactics intended to weaken members' self-esteem and commitment to the organization.

Demystifying Organized Crime

Addressing misconceptions about the chaotic nature of many criminal networks.

Criminal Networks Definition

Few offenders operate independently; most engage with other criminals in networks.

Solo Criminals

Criminals who must connect with larger networks for activities like property disposal.

Implications for Policing

Criminal networks are central to intelligence-driven policing and influence police strategies.

Intelligence Analysis

Information management in policing for effective crime investigation.

Types of Intelligence

Different forms of intelligence, like financial records, vital for investigating criminal networks.

Proactive Use of Intelligence

Utilizing information to prevent crime and identify core offenders.

Intelligence Process Stages

Steps include collection, evaluation, collation, analysis, and dissemination of intelligence.

Graphical Representation

Using link charts for network visualization, detailing relationships within criminal networks.

Computer-Aided Analysis

Advanced software methods that improve the analysis of intelligence data.

Structural Analysis Focus

A detailed examination of how networks are structured during the intelligence analysis stage.

Social Network Analysis (SNA)

Studies interactions between entities by integrating disciplines like sociology.

Subgroup Dynamics

Understanding the behavior and influences of smaller networks within larger criminal structures.

Communication Dynamics

Important communication often flows through weak ties in networks.

Cutpoints in Networks

Identifying significant vulnerabilities within the network structure is essential.

Peripheral Members

Individuals more likely to provide information to police but may have less quality insight.

Centrality Measures

Key indicators of importance in sociograms, such as degree, betweeness, and closeness.

Degree Centrality

The number of connections a node has, but can mislead actual importance.

Betweenness Centrality

The capacity of a node to act as a bridge between other nodes in a network.

Closeness Centrality

Shortest path measurement showing ease of communication within a network.

Information Score,

A comprehensive measure assessing involvement across connections in networks.

Cliques in Networks

Tightly connected subgroups where all members share connections.

SNA Strengths

Effective method for exploring co-offenders and organizational structures in crime.

Retrieval Cues

The effectiveness of cues depends on their overlap with stored information.

Encoding Specificity Hypothesis

Reinstating pre-encoding context enhances access to stored memories.

Multiple Trace Theory

Posits that memories form interconnecting networks within the brain.

Context Reinstatement Technique

Interviewees recreate the environment and context of the event to aid recall.

Report Everything

Instruction for interviewees to share all details, regardless of perceived relevance.

Change Perspective Technique

Witnesses recall events from different viewpoints to elicit additional details.

Recall Order Technique

Recounting events from various temporal sequences to improve recall quality.

Enhanced Cognitive Interview (ECI)

An improved CI methodology focusing on social skills and rapport building.

Interviewee-Compatible Questioning

Tailoring questions to match the witness's recollection style.

Field Studies of CI

Research indicating higher information yield from detectives trained in CI techniques.

Vulnerable Populations

Special considerations are needed when applying CI methodologies to sensitive groups.

PEACE Model of Interviewing

A structured, non-coercive approach to police interviewing introduced in the UK.

Preparation and Planning

The first stage of the PEACE model involving gathering information pre-interview.

Engage and Explain

Stage in the PEACE model where interviewers actively connect with interviewees.

Account Stage

Initiate interviews with open-ended questions to allow free narration.

Closure in Interviews

Summarizing key points and clarifying next steps post-interview.

Evaluation Stage

Self and peer evaluations encourage continuous improvement in interviewing practices.

Multidisciplinary Approach in SNA

Combining perspectives from various fields to enhance understanding of networks.

Complexity of Criminal Networks

Disentangling the intricacies of interactions in criminal organizations for analysis.

Legal Collaboration

Need for ongoing partnerships between police and researchers to improve practices.

Scientific Validity

Concerns regarding the credibility of techniques used in police interrogation.

Comprehensive Approach

Integrating various methods in law enforcement training for better outcomes.

Research Gaps

Identified areas needing study for effective implementation of interview practices.

Ongoing Training Needs

Continuous development necessary for police officers to enhance investigative skills.

Reporting Validity

Importance of accurate detail retrieval during witness interviews.

Research Methodologies

Diverse approaches needed to evaluate the effectiveness of interview techniques.

Memory Retrieval Techniques

Strategies designed to optimize information collection from witnesses.

Evolving Practices

Emerging trends in evidence gathering as a result of continuous research.

Interviewing Strategies

A range of questioning techniques adapted for more effective witness interaction.

Case Analysis

Evaluating specific cases to derive insights for improving interviewing methodologies.

Advancements in Forensic Psychology

Ongoing developments introduce new standards for investigational interviewing.

Impact of Cognitive Factors

Cognitive biases that can affect eyewitness recall and reporting accuracy.

Importance of Social Factors

Social dynamics influencing how witnesses perceive and recount events.

Effective Communication Skills

Training on using communication techniques to build rapport during interviews.

Interview Disruption Factors

Understanding elements that can hinder the flow of witness accounts.

Quality vs. Quantity in Information Collection

Striking a balance between detailed information and the volume of collected data.

Fundamental Misconceptions

Common misunderstandings surrounding the effectiveness of standard interview practices.

Human Factors in Interviewing

Addressing the interplay of psychological and social elements in witness interviews.

Conclusion on Interview Techniques

Emphasizing the necessity of evolving and refining investigative interviewing methods.