PSYC 268 Chapter Notes - Chapter 9: Fundamental Attribution Error, Fundamental Justice, Interrupt

• School: Simon Fraser University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 268
• Professor: Deborah Connolly

Document Summary

To understand factors contributing to false confession, must distinguish b/w personal risk factors & situational risk factors. Some indivs more compliant/suggestible & thus more susceptible to respond to interrogative coercion. Low intelligence, drug/alcohol use, stress - other personal risk factors that may increase likelihood of false confession. Situational risk factors - involve particular techniques used to extract confession, time of day interrogation was conducted/length of interrogation. Confessions stem from indiv rather than situation factors. Fundamental attribution error - tendency to overemphasize dispositional/personality- based explanations for indiv"s behaviour while minimizing situational/external causes. Munsterberg - perhaps first psychologist to write about false confession phenomenon. Incriminating statements made to ppl not in authority - not subject to certain laws. If incriminating statements not disputed, they will not come under judicial scrutiny. 2 sources of law affecting police interactions w/ suspects & use of incriminating evidence. Generally, 2 bodies of law serve diff objectives.