Abstract
Objective: Intoxicated suspects might be particularly vulnerable to interrogative pressure and false confessions. It is well established that alcohol can impact executive functioning as well as compliance, which might make individuals more likely to falsely admit to wrongdoings they did not commit. This study investigates alcohol’s impact on false confessions using the ALT key paradigm (Kassin & Kiechel, 1996).
Design: The study employed a between-subjects design with alcohol as between-subjects factor (alcohol vs.placebo). The three dependent variables were verbal confession, written confession, and internalization.
Method: After undergoing a screening procedure, eligible participants were invited to a study examining the impact of alcohol on reaction time and decision-making. Participants then received alcohol or a placebo. After their BrAC reached the desired level they began the reaction time task, during which they were asked to type letters as quickly and accurately as possible. Before they started the task, the experimenter informed them that the computer would crash if they hit the Alt-key. Participants were told not to press the ALT key. One minute later, the computer “crashed” and the experimenter wrongly accused the participant that they hit the Alt-key. We measured whether participants verbally wrongly confessed, whether they signed a false confession statement, and whether they would later spontaneously admit to the (false) wrongdoing when completing a study satisfaction survey. Finally, the experimenter debriefed participants and asked for retrospective consent.
Results: Data collection is ongoing; so far, data from 30 participants was collected. Trends suggest differences between groups in verbal confessions, but not in written confessions or internalization. The applied forensic implications for investigative interviewing of suspects will be discussed.
Conclusion: Findings will help determine if alcohol should be considered a risk factor for false confessions and provide practical guidelines for professionals working with intoxicated suspects.
Design: The study employed a between-subjects design with alcohol as between-subjects factor (alcohol vs.placebo). The three dependent variables were verbal confession, written confession, and internalization.
Method: After undergoing a screening procedure, eligible participants were invited to a study examining the impact of alcohol on reaction time and decision-making. Participants then received alcohol or a placebo. After their BrAC reached the desired level they began the reaction time task, during which they were asked to type letters as quickly and accurately as possible. Before they started the task, the experimenter informed them that the computer would crash if they hit the Alt-key. Participants were told not to press the ALT key. One minute later, the computer “crashed” and the experimenter wrongly accused the participant that they hit the Alt-key. We measured whether participants verbally wrongly confessed, whether they signed a false confession statement, and whether they would later spontaneously admit to the (false) wrongdoing when completing a study satisfaction survey. Finally, the experimenter debriefed participants and asked for retrospective consent.
Results: Data collection is ongoing; so far, data from 30 participants was collected. Trends suggest differences between groups in verbal confessions, but not in written confessions or internalization. The applied forensic implications for investigative interviewing of suspects will be discussed.
Conclusion: Findings will help determine if alcohol should be considered a risk factor for false confessions and provide practical guidelines for professionals working with intoxicated suspects.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 156-156 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 6 Jul 2023 |
| Event | Annual Conference of the Europen Association of Psychology adn Law EAPL2023 - Cluj-Napoca, Romania Duration: 4 Jul 2023 → 7 Jul 2023 https://eaplconference.ro/ |
Conference
| Conference | Annual Conference of the Europen Association of Psychology adn Law EAPL2023 |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | EAPL2023 |
| Country/Territory | Romania |
| City | Cluj-Napoca |
| Period | 4/07/23 → 7/07/23 |
| Internet address |
Keywords
- False confession
- Alcohol intoxication
- Suspect
- Investigative interviewing