Oral Presentation: Interviewing via the Model Statement: Examining the factors underpinning its effectiveness

Title: Interviewing via the Model Statement: Examining the factors underpinning its effectiveness

Abstract:

Background

The Model Statement (MS) is an audio-recorded detailed statement, on an unrelated topic to that of the interview, of the level-of-detail expected from interviewees. Research has shown the MS elicits more detailed information from interviewees compared to a ‘report everything’ instruction. We examined the impact of manipulating MS duration (long versus short) and richness-in-detail (high versus low) upon the quantity and accuracy of details reported by truth-tellers.

Method

We created four MS variants by orthogonally manipulating duration (in seconds) and richness-in-detail (using Reality Monitoring criteria). Participants (n = 205) were randomly allocated to one of these four conditions or to the MS-absent control condition. Participant’s watched a video of a gang meeting and were interviewed, truthfully reporting what they recalled. See pre-registration: https://osf.io/ctmab.

Results

Analysis revealed a main effect for MS duration. Participants in the long duration MS conditions reported more detailed statements versus participants in the short duration MS conditions. No main effect for MS richness-in-detail were found. Truth-tellers in all MS conditions reported more detailed statements versus participants in the MS-absent control condition. Accuracy rates did not vary between MS conditions.

Conclusion

When creating MS to elicit information from truth-tellers, duration appears to be an important factor.