Motivational sources of confirmation bias in criminal investigations: the need for cognitive closure

Ask, Karl; Granhag, Pär Anders

doi:10.1002/jip.19

Cited by 172 publications

(188 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…NFCC refers to individuals' preference for unambiguity, with those assessed with a high need being characterised by a tendency to form quick judgements based on a solitary hypothesis, despite inconclusive evidence, while avoiding others' dissenting viewpoints (Kruglanski and Webster 1996). While Ask and Granhag (2005) did not find confirmation bias linked to NFCC among investigators, the current study examined whether NFCC is associated with insufficient planning.…”

Section: Theoretical Framework Of Investigative Interview Planningmentioning

confidence: 78%

“…Indeed, other research (which also employed similar limited predictors) also found non-significant outcomes (O'Neill 2011). Ask and Granhag (2005) also found that NFCC did not significantly affect bias in investigative decision-making. As these authors recommend, a more valid test of this disposition might be needed.…”

Section: Study Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 82%

“…Defectiveness in decisionmaking (e.g. developing either a single or premature hypothesis, confirmation bias or stereotyping) has been repeatedly mentioned as a critical factor in investigative failures (Ask and Granhag 2005;Hill et al 2008;Kassin et al 2003;Rassin et al 2010;Rossmo 2009). Despite this, little research had been conducted into what influences investigators' decision-making (Fahsing and Ask 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Planning Ahead? An Exploratory Study of South Korean Investigators’ Beliefs About Their Planning for Investigative Interviews of Suspects

Kim

Walsh

Bull

et al. 2017

J Police Crim Psych

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Preparation and planning has been argued to be vitally important as to how effectively investigators undertake their interviews with suspects. Yet, it has also been found in previous research that investigators admit that they plan only occasionally, often attributing insufficient time as a reason for not undertaking the task. Employing a novel research paradigm that utilised theoretical foundations concerning planning, the present study explored empirically 95 South Korean financial crime investigators' views, using a selfadministered questionnaire. With the use of secondgeneration statistical modelling, an understanding was developed of the relative relationships between various concepts (which had themselves emerged from an established theoretical framework of planning that had been further extended to accommodate the context of the present study). The study found that perceived time pressures actually showed a very low association with interview planning. Rather, investigators' self-belief as to their own capability alongside workplace culture was each found to have stronger associations with investigators' intentions to plan for their interviews. As such, we argue that there should be more focus on improving occupational culture relating to interview planning, while developing training programs that identify, evaluate, and enhance investigators' planning skills. Implications for practice are therefore discussed.

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Section: Theoretical Framework Of Investigative Interview Planningmentioning

confidence: 78%

Section: Study Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 82%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Planning Ahead? An Exploratory Study of South Korean Investigators’ Beliefs About Their Planning for Investigative Interviews of Suspects

Kim

Walsh

Bull

et al. 2017

J Police Crim Psych

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Suggestive interviewing is strongly related to the concept of interviewer bias and the expectancy effects that emerge when interviewers with preconceived notions seek to confirm evidence in ways that are related to a priori beliefs and expectations (e.g. Ask and Granhag 2005;Bruck et al 2002). Children may, for example, tailor their reports by confirming or rejecting information if they infer that interviewers would prefer certain responses (e.g.…”

Section: Suggestive Interviewingmentioning

confidence: 99%

The NICHD Protocol: Guide to Follow Recommended Investigative Interview Practices at the Barnahus?

Baugerud

Johnson

2017

Collaborating Against Child Abuse

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“…However, for the most part, serial killers are inclined to victimize population sectors they deem unworthy of living, largely because of abuse they experienced in childhood. Therefore, analyzing the victims at the crime scene can give the profiler a foundation for understanding the motive [29]. …”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Serial Murder Profiling: Our Contemporary Understanding

Edelstein¹

2016

J For Med Leg Aff

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In this article we examine if, and to what extent, profiling can help to solve serial murder cases. We consider the unique characteristics of serial murder and their relationship to profiling, and examine the benefits and limitations of offender profiling. We conclude that using profiling as an investigative tool may help to capture serial murderers and prevent further murders. Notwithstanding, profiling does not guarantee, solving each serial murder case, due to both the limitations of profiling as an objective investigative tool and the distinct characteristics of serial murderers, making them difficult to profile.Keywords: Serial Murder; Profiling; Crime Scene; Geo-Profiling; Modus Operandi; Signature Serial Murder Profiling: Our Contemporary UnderstandingThough serial murder is a relatively rare occurrence, it causes great concern among the general public. The fact that most serial murderers are classified as sane (possessing antisocial personality disorders) is even more worrisome [1].Movies, books, and television series (such as Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) and Criminal Minds) have generated a certain degree of public conception that forensics and the ability to think like a murderer can solve every occurrence of serial murder. It is important to remember that profiling (criminal profiling or offender profiling), in its different forms and contexts such as crime scene analysis, personality analysis, spatial analysis is at most an important tool for police investigations. Advocates of profiling relate to it as a science while critics of profiling refer to it as an art form [2].The effectiveness of profiling in general, and profiling of serial murder specifically, has not been widely studied. Hodges and Jacquin [3] argued that only two-thirds of murder cases in the United States have been solved, with the unsolved third of murders including at least some serial murders. They maintain that the efficiency and accuracy of criminal profiling has not been investigated sufficiently, although their findings suggest that law enforcement officials have a higher rate of accuracy using profiling than other investigative methods.Other critiques include the fact that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) refuses to report on the efficiency of using profiling in solving cases of serial murder, which raises questions about the method [4]. Conversely, recently published books and articles attempt to identify the important tools that profiling uses, and their significance as investigative tools [5].This article proposes that the use of profiling as an investigative tool for murder cases, specifically cases of serial murder, is marked by many inadequacies, stemming in part from problematic criminology typology, as well as human error. However, continued development of the theoretical tools, empirical testing, and improved training, can change profiling into a more reliable and PO Box 13001, Beersheba, Israel 84536, E-mail: arnonede@gmail.com efficient investigative tool for solving murder cases in general, ...

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Motivational sources of confirmation bias in criminal investigations: the need for cognitive closure

Abstract: In two experiments, criminal investigators (N = 50)

Cited by 172 publications

References 32 publications

Planning Ahead? An Exploratory Study of South Korean Investigators’ Beliefs About Their Planning for Investigative Interviews of Suspects

Planning Ahead? An Exploratory Study of South Korean Investigators’ Beliefs About Their Planning for Investigative Interviews of Suspects

The NICHD Protocol: Guide to Follow Recommended Investigative Interview Practices at the Barnahus?

Serial Murder Profiling: Our Contemporary Understanding

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