The relationship between coping strategies and interrogative suggestibility

Abstract

Interrogative suggestibility refers to the tendency of individuals to accept suggestive information in an interrogative context. Within the criminal justice system, this factor has substantial implications in relation to the obtaining of written statements, admissions from suspects, and, most importantly, false confessions. Gudjonsson and Clark (1986) have developed a theoretical model of suggestibility, and contend that suggestibility is mediated by an individual's cognitive abilities, mental state and personality characteristics. In particular, they emphasise the role of coping strategies, positing that active/problem‐focused coping strategies lead to greater resistance to suggestive information whilst avoidant/emotion‐focused strategies lead to increased susceptibility to accepting suggestive information. The current study evaluated this aspect of Gudjonsson and Clark's (1986) model, using the Gudjonsson Suggestibility Scale (Gudjonsson, 1984) and the COPE (Carver, Scheier & Weintraub, 1989) inventory. Additionally, it was evaluated whether dispositional or situational coping strategies would be a better predictor of interrogative suggestibility. Sixty‐one participants completed both measures in the belief that they were participating in an investigation into memory. The results failed to support the hypothesized relationship between methods of coping and levels of interrogative suggestibility. Additionally, neither situational nor dispositional coping strategies were found to better predict interrogative suggestibility. The results are discussed in terms of Gudjonsson's (1988) previous findings and current theories on coping behaviour.