Abstract

VRIJ, Aldert et al. The efficacy of using countermeasures in a model statement interview. The European Journal of Psychology Applied to Legal Context [online]. 2020, vol.12, n.1, pp.23-34.  Epub Jan 27, 2020. ISSN 1989-4007.  https://dx.doi.org/10.5093/ejpalc2020a3.

In a countermeasures experiment, we examined to what extent liars who learn about the Model Statement tool and about the proportion of complications (complications/complications + common knowledge details + self-handicapping strategies) can successfully adjust their responses so that they sound like truth tellers. Truth tellers discussed a trip they had made; liars fabricated a story. Participants were of Lebanese, Mexican, and South-Korean origin. Prior to the interview they did or did not receive information about (i) the working of the Model statement and (ii) three types of verbal detail: complications, common knowledge details and self-handicapping strategies. We found no evidence that liars sounded like truth tellers after being informed about the Model Statement and/or types of detail we examined. Actually, veracity differences were similar across experimental conditions, with truth tellers reporting more detail and more complications and obtaining a higher proportion of complications score than liars.

Keywords : Countermeasures; Information gathering; Deception; Model statement; Proportion of complications.

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