Interrogation Expectations: Individual and Race/Ethnic Group Variation Among an Adult Sample

Abstract

A vignette methodology was used to assess interrogation expectations (IE) among a diverse sample of adults. Vocabulary level, comprehension of Miranda rights, and demographic variables were also assessed. Substantial individual and racial/ethnic group variation in IE was found, with Black participants exhibiting significantly lower expectations of police compliance with Miranda protections compared to White participants. Multiple regression analysis indicated that the combined contribution of vocabulary scores, comprehension of Miranda rights, and multiple demographic variables accounted for only 19% of the variance in IE scores. The findings suggest that suspects have varied expectations of police behavior during interrogation, which may influence the Miranda waiver decision.

KEYTERMS:

• Comprehension of Miranda rights
• EPCMP
• expectations of police compliance with Miranda protections
• interrogation expectations
• race
• race/ethnicity

Notes

¹The investigators were seeking a diverse adult sample (based on age, ethnic/racial identification, and socioeconomic status). At the urban community college and the two motor vehicle agency offices, a table was set up in public view inviting volunteers to complete the consent, questionnaire, and assessments for a modest compensation. Questions from potential participants were answered by Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) certified researchers. At the 4-year state college, participants were recruited in a similar manner primarily among students studying criminal justice given the location of the recruitment on the campus. The students at the 4-year college were also provided a modest financial compensation. The compensation was $5 and $7, respectively, at the colleges and the motor vehicle agency offices.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Matthew B. Johnson

Matthew B. Johnson is an Associate Professor of Psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York. Professor Johnson has published widely on topics such as interrogation and confession, race and wrongful conviction, the death penalty, and parental rights termination in family court.

Kimberly Citron-Lippmann

Kimberly Citron-Lippmann was a Postdoctoral Fellow in Clinical Psychology at Clinical and Support Options, Inc., in Northampton, Massachusetts. Her current appointment is Behavioral Health Clinician, Licensed Psychologist at Community Health Center, Inc. in Middletown, Connecticut and Associate Professor at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut. Dr. Citron-Lippmann's research interests include interrogation, confession, suggestibility, and adolescent outcomes in the context of parental divorce.

Christina Massey

Christina Massey is a doctoral student concentrating in forensic psychology in the Clinical Psychology Program at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York. Ms. Massey's research focuses on the long-term consequences of childhood maltreatment, with a particular focus on childhood sexual abuse. She also has an interest in statistics and various methods of analysis in the social sciences.

Chitra Raghavan

Chitra Raghavan is a Professor of Psychology at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York. Her current research interests focus on coercive control, intimate partner violence and intimate partner sexual assault, as well as measurement issues surrounding partner violence across different cultural and gendered contexts.

Ann Marie Kavanagh

Ann Marie Kavanagh is an adjunct faculty member at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York. Dr. Kavanagh's research interests include intimate partner violence and issues of gender and culture. Dr. Kavanagh also provides clinical and consulting service for the New York State Office of Mental Health.