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Interview expectancies: awareness of potential biases influences behaviour in interviewees

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Nicole Adams-QuackenbushORCiD

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Abstract

Expectancy effects are known to influence behaviour so that what is expected appears to be true. In this study, expectancy was induced using (fabricated) information about honesty and specific group membership. Targets were tested in a non-accusatory interview environment using neutral and information-gathering questions. It was hypothesized that those exposed to the negative information (the expectancy) would demonstrate behaviour consistent with an increased cognitive load, and evidence was found to support this prediction. Due to the investigative nature of the information-gathering questions, it was also expected that the targets exposed to the expectancy would exhibit more of these behaviours in the investigative portion of the interview. Some behaviour was found to support this prediction (i.e. shorter responses and increased speech disturbances); however, indicators of performance altering load were not observed during this phase of the interview. These findings support the hypothesis that expectancy effects can noticeably alter interviewee behaviour.investigative interviews; expectancy effects; cognitive load; interviewee behaviour; stereotype activation; information-gathering; truth-tellersinvestigative interviews; expectancy effects; cognitive load; interviewee behaviour; stereotype activation; information-gathering; truth-tellers

Publication metadata

Author(s): Adams-Quackenbush NM, Horselenberg R, Hubert J, Vrij A, van Koppen PJ

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Psychiatry, Psychology and Law

Year: 2019

Volume: 26

Issue: 1

Pages: 150-166

Online publication date: 22/01/2019

Acceptance date: 27/05/2018

Date deposited: 24/08/2020

ISSN (print): 1321-8719

ISSN (electronic): 1934-1687

Publisher: Routledge

URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/13218719.2018.1485522

DOI: 10.1080/13218719.2018.1485522

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