Investigators mainly utilize four psychologically powerful strategies. They utilize loss of control in the person being interrogated by keeping them in a state of alert and anxiety typically accomplished by the interrogation room features. The rooms typically contain a metal chair, along with a table and no windows—leaving suspects feeling like there is no way out. Then, interrogators will maintain social isolation via the deprivation of social support. The suspects will be also given false information so they can try to take the bait, and that social isolation ensures no one is there to contradict the information given. The next strategy is certainty of guilt. Interrogators want suspects to think that they (interrogators) have all the facts and want the suspect to give a confession so a less harsh punishment will be given. The interrogators will convince suspects that they know they’re guilty, by challenging them, interrupting them, and dismissing what they’re saying. They will use ‘evidence ploys’ which means interrogators will lie to a suspect about what evidence they actually have, so the suspect will give a confession. The final strategy is minimize culpability. The interrogators want to make it easy for suspects to admit they had a role in the crime, by face-saving justifications and shifting blame. They will also create ‘themes,’ which are stories that resonate with the suspect so they can either excuse or justify their part in the crime. Harsh interrogation techniques, like these described, play a role in a significant amount of false confessions given.
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