THE EFFECT OF INTERVIEW TECHNIQUE ON QUALITY OF RECALL ABOUT A CHILD'S PERSONAL MEMORY OF A SALIENT EVENT (FORENSIC).
Contributors: University of Pennsylvania.
Published: 1994
Number of pages: 209
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Psychology, Developmental.
Description: This investigation compared the effectiveness of two different forensic interview techniques (standard Forensic and Modified Cognitive) when used with children 4 to 5 1/2 years of age and 7 to 8 1/2 years of age. This study represents the first step in a research program designed to develop a non-leading, non-suggestive and developmentally appropriate interview technique, which can be used with children. Such a technique should aid them in the recall of accurate information.

One hundred and thirty (130) children were interviewed individually, 48 hours after a clown's surprise visit to their classrooms. Each clown visit was videotaped. All interviews were audiotaped and transcribed.

There was no significant difference in the number of correct or incorrect details reported by children according to interview type. Older children were able to recall significantly more information that younger children in response to both interview techniques. The same was true for incorrect information, with older children reporting more incorrect information than younger children.

Consistent with the literature, older children did provide significantly more information in free report than younger children. Multivariate analysis of variance demonstrated that across age groups, children were able to provide more details about events than objects, and more information about objects than persons. Preoperational children were able to employ the techniques of the Modified Cognitive Interview as well as children in the concrete operational stage of cognitive development.

The time it took to conduct each interview type, as well as the number of interviewer probes used, was evaluated. It took a mean number of 8.32 minutes longer to conduct a Modified Cognitive Interview and interviewers in that interview condition used a mean of 4.9 more probes.

The study's significance lies in three areas: (1) exploration of effective, age-appropriate interview techniques that could be employed in interviewing children in all settings, (2) testing of forensic interview techniques currently utilized with young children, and (3) validation of previous research results.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 55-09, Section: B, page: 3822.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, 1994.

School code: 0175.