‘I like you so . . . ’: how transgressor and interviewer likeability and familiarity influence children’s disclosures

Abstract

This study examined how children’s age and their ratings of the likeability of a transgressor (E1) and an interviewer (E2) influenced their testimonies after witnessing a theft. Children (N = 152; ages 7–13 years) witnessed E1 steal $20 from a wallet. E1 then asked the children to lie and say that they did not take the money. Children were interviewed about their experience with E1 and completed two questionnaires about E1 and E2. Children who reported higher likeability scores with E1 were more likely to attempt to conceal the theft and more willing to keep it a secret. Children who reported higher likeability scores with E2 were more likely to indirectly disclose the theft. Age also played a role in children’s ability to maintain their concealment. Results have important implications for professionals who interview children and suggest that more research is needed to examine ways to increase children’s comfort with interviews/interviewers.

Keywords:

• age
• children
• concealment
• disclosures
• interviewers
• interviewing
• likeability
• lying
• theft
• witness interviews

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by a doctoral fellowship for the first author from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), and a SSHRC Insight grant [# 435-2019-0245] for the second author.