psych 380 exam 2

What is the main goal of an interrogation?

To obtain a confession.

Why are confessions so powerful in court?

They lead to high conviction rates and influence other evidence (eyewitnesses, forensic analysis).

How do jurors treat coerced confessions?

They still find them highly persuasive, even when told they were coerced.

How did interrogation methods look before the 1930s?

Physical violence and torture.

What changed in interrogation practices after the 1960s?

Shift to psychological coercion due to legal protections.

What case established Miranda rights?

Miranda v. Arizona

What are Miranda rights?

Right to remain silent, right to an attorney, and right to appointed counsel.

What percentage of suspects waive Miranda rights?

About 80%.

Who is more likely to waive Miranda rights—guilty or innocent people?

Innocent people.

What is the Reid Technique?

A 9-step psychological interrogation method designed to elicit confessions.

What is "minimization" in interrogation?

Offering excuses to make the suspect feel less guilty.

What are "evidence ploys"?

Lying about evidence to pressure a suspect.

What factors increase the risk of false confessions?

Fatigue, deception, intimidation, stress, and long interrogations.

What psychological bias explains why people believe confessions?

fundamental attribution error

Who is most vulnerable to false confessions?

Juveniles, low intelligence individuals, mentally ill, sleep-deprived.

What is the most common type of false confession?

Coerced-instrumental.

What is a coerced-internalized confession?

When someone comes to believe they committed the crime.

What is a voluntary false confession?

Given without pressure (e.g., attention or protecting someone).

What law reduced coercive interrogations in the UK?

Police and Criminal Evidence Act

What are key solutions to false confessions?

Recording interrogations, limiting deception, expert testimony.

What are the two main types of lies?

commission and omission

What is the average human accuracy in detecting lies?

About 54% (near chance).

Are police better at detecting lies than others?

No, often similar or worse than average.

What mistake do people make when detecting lies?

Relying on stereotypes (e.g., avoiding eye contact).

What does a polygraph measure?

Heart rate, breathing, and skin conductivity.

What assumption does the polygraph rely on?

Lying causes physiological arousal.

Are polygraphs generally admissible in court?

No.

What is a common polygraph method?

Control Question Test (CQT).

What are lower-tech alternatives to polygraphs?

Behavioral observation and statement analysis.

What are brain-based lie detection methods?

fMRI and EEG techniques.

What is a venire?

The pool of potential jurors.

What is voir dire?

The process of questioning jurors to identify bias.

What is a peremptory challenge?

Removing a juror without giving a reason.

What is a challenge for cause?

Removing a juror due to proven bias.

What is a shadow jury?

A group that observes a trial and gives feedback.

What is a mock jury?

A simulated jury used to test arguments before trial.

What tools are used in modern jury selection?

Social media analysis and trial consultants.

What is the first step in a trial?

Jury selection.

What happens after opening statements?

Prosecution presents its case.

What is the final step of a trial?

Jury deliberation and verdict.

What are Evidence ploys?

when the police is lying for a true confession