Re-reading between the lines: a re-evaluation of the pragmatic implications of minimization within police interrogations

Past research has suggested that minimization (i.e., downplaying the moral or psychological seriousness of the crime) pragmatically implies that a suspect will receive a more lenient sentence in exchange for information and this is not mitigated by a leniency warning. Across four studies (Ns = 187, 124, 236, 241), participants read a case overview involving a break and enter, a suspect-interview transcript and then answered questions regarding various perceptions of the interview and potential subsequent judicial process. We manipulated (1) the perspective taken by participants in the follow-up questions (Self v. Other) and (2) the language and placement of the leniency warning. Results indicated that minimization only implies leniency when an imagine-other perspective is used; however, this effect can be successfully negated if a leniency warning is provided directly to the suspect. We also conducted a fifth study as a first step to begin assessing the pragmatic implications of minimization within in-person interviews. Participants (N = 49) either carried out a mock-crime or they did not (Guilty v. Innocent). Next they underwent an interview in which minimization was either applied or it was not (Minimization: Present v. Absent), and a leniency warning was provided or it was not (Warning: Present v. Absent). Results indicated that guilt significantly influenced perceptions regarding sentencing expectations if they confessed, but Minimization and a Warning did not. The implications of our findings in regards to the impact of minimization within police interviews are discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Forensic Psychology

Grantor

University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Crough, Quintan

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Eastwood, Joseph

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10155/1967

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ontariotechu.scholaris.ca:10155/1967