The effect of social influence tactics on information provision in witness interviews

Keeping, Zak (2016) The effect of social influence tactics on information provision in witness interviews. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

The effect of social influence tactics on information provision was examined. Participants (N = 174) watched a video depicting vandalism in a convenience store, then were assigned at random to one of six interview conditions that varied by social influence tactic (i.e., consistency, reciprocity, authority, social proof, standard rapport, baseline). Participants were then asked to provide a detailed account of what they could remember about the video. Participants exposed to the social proof condition provided a greater number of accurate details than participants in any other condition (Md = 0.93). The average effect size for accurate information provided in the consistency condition was medium (Md = 0.57). There was no corresponding increase in incorrect or confabulated information provided. The potential utility of social proof as a tool for increasing information provision in police interviews is discussed.

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