Interrogative Suggestibility
Definition
The measurable tendency of an individual to accept misleading suggestions and change responses under pressure, assessed by the Gudjonsson Suggestibility Scales (GSS-1, GSS-2). Elevated in children, those with intellectual disabilities, and those in high-stress interrogation contexts.
- Measured by
- Gudjonsson Suggestibility Scales (GSS-1, GSS-2)
- Elevated in
- Children, intellectual disability, high-stress interviews
- Scale outputs
- Yield and shift scores
Common questions
What does the GSS actually test?+
The subject hears a narrative, answers misleading questions about it, then receives negative feedback and is re-questioned. This scores both "yield" to leading questions and "shift" in answers under pressure.
Why does this matter for interview design?+
High suggestibility scores support restricting leading questions and using structured approaches such as achieving-best-evidence interviewing for children and other vulnerable witnesses.
Related terms
- Achieving Best Evidence (ABE)
- UK guidance (most recent revision 2022) on interviewing vulnerable witnesses including children. Embedded within the YJCEA 1999 special measures framework; ABE interviews...
- Acquiescence Bias
- The tendency to agree with questions regardless of their content, elevated in young children and persons with intellectual disabilities. A major source...
- Cognitive Interview (CI)
- An evidence-based interview technique developed by Fisher and Geiselman that uses memory-enhancement strategies including mental reinstatement of context, free recall, temporal variation,...
- Intermediary
- A communication specialist (YJCEA 1999 s 29) who attends an ABE interview and trial to ensure that questions are put to vulnerable...
- NICHD Protocol
- A structured child investigative interview protocol developed by Michael Lamb and colleagues, with an extended rapport and narrative-practice phase followed by a...
- POCSO § 35
- The Indian Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012 provision requiring Special Courts to record a child's evidence within 30 days...
- Special Measures (YJCEA 1999)
- Provisions under the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 allowing vulnerable witnesses (including all children in sexual or violent cases) to...