Interviewing Techniques
Comparison between Adults and Children in relation to Accuracy and Identification of the Correct number of Touches Demonstrating the Influence of Interviewing Techniques
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate how well children and adults can use body maps to show where touch occurred on another person. It was predicted that adults would report more correct touches than children, and that adults would have a higher accuracy score. A total of twenty nine psychology students from the University of Otago and fourteen young children, were each presented with a short video clip which involved a young girl being dressed up by an older male student. They were then asked to indicate on a body map, the various places that the young …show more content…
It is most common in cases involving sexual and physical abuse. Usually when a child experiences abuse they are typically the only witness to the event. So therefore it is important that they remember every single detail in order to prosecute the offender in court and create a safe environment for themselves. However, at times it may be hard for children to provide clear evidence due to a variety of reasons. For example there may be a possibility that they may be afraid to say what happened, or simply do not have the required vocabulary to describe the event. This makes it increasingly hard to elicit the correct information required. In the past researchers have explored different techniques to try and extract the most accurate information from children. There were verbal methods used such as free recall which are open ended questions, and specific questions that relate directly to the situation. Non verbal methods were also trialed, which included anatomically detailed dolls, body maps and …show more content…
It has shown that the current methods are still not reliable, and that more research is needed to strengthen these techniques.
In conclusion, it can be said that age solely does not play a major role in the participants ability to recall information both accurately and correctly. It is more the combination of various other characteristics of an individual including age that affects a persons ability to recall information about a past event.
References
Goodman, G . S ., & Reed, R. S. (1986). Age differences in eyewitness testimony. Law and Human Behavior, 10, 317-332
Laboratory Manual: Psychology 111/112 (2013). Dunedin: Department of Psychology, University of Otago
Price, D. W . W ., & Goodman, G . S . (1990). Visiting the wizard: Children’s memory for a recurring event. Child Development, 61 , 664-680
Willcock, E., Morgan, K., & Hayne, H. (2006). Body maps do not facilitate children’s reports of touch. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 20,
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate how well children and adults can use body maps to show where touch occurred on another person. It was predicted that adults would report more correct touches than children, and that adults would have a higher accuracy score. A total of twenty nine psychology students from the University of Otago and fourteen young children, were each presented with a short video clip which involved a young girl being dressed up by an older male student. They were then asked to indicate on a body map, the various places that the young …show more content…
It is most common in cases involving sexual and physical abuse. Usually when a child experiences abuse they are typically the only witness to the event. So therefore it is important that they remember every single detail in order to prosecute the offender in court and create a safe environment for themselves. However, at times it may be hard for children to provide clear evidence due to a variety of reasons. For example there may be a possibility that they may be afraid to say what happened, or simply do not have the required vocabulary to describe the event. This makes it increasingly hard to elicit the correct information required. In the past researchers have explored different techniques to try and extract the most accurate information from children. There were verbal methods used such as free recall which are open ended questions, and specific questions that relate directly to the situation. Non verbal methods were also trialed, which included anatomically detailed dolls, body maps and …show more content…
It has shown that the current methods are still not reliable, and that more research is needed to strengthen these techniques.
In conclusion, it can be said that age solely does not play a major role in the participants ability to recall information both accurately and correctly. It is more the combination of various other characteristics of an individual including age that affects a persons ability to recall information about a past event.
References
Goodman, G . S ., & Reed, R. S. (1986). Age differences in eyewitness testimony. Law and Human Behavior, 10, 317-332
Laboratory Manual: Psychology 111/112 (2013). Dunedin: Department of Psychology, University of Otago
Price, D. W . W ., & Goodman, G . S . (1990). Visiting the wizard: Children’s memory for a recurring event. Child Development, 61 , 664-680
Willcock, E., Morgan, K., & Hayne, H. (2006). Body maps do not facilitate children’s reports of touch. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 20,