Interviewing: Theories, Techniques and Practices

For courses in Interviewing & Interrogation. Based on classroom tested training materials used by the author for over 15 years, this text provides a practical interviewing guide for people that plan to work in the criminal justice system. Using a systematic training approach based on scientifically validated research, the book combines “how-to” guidelines and “hands-on” practice to teach students key interviewing concepts and basic interviewing skills.

Table of Contents:
1. Introduction to Interviewing. Learning Objectives. The Need. The Interviewing. Interviewing Skills. Interviews as Verbal Skills. Interviewing as Instantaneous Response. Interviewing as Influencing. Neutrality. Interviewing as Assessment. Interview Styles. Interview Viability. Interviewing and Interrogation. Suggestibility and Compliance. Purposes of Interviewing. Prediction. Art or Science? Criminal Justice and the Parent Role. Barriers to Communication. Interview Biases. Optimum Environment for Communication (OEC). Agency Interviews. Direction of Training. Summary. Study Questions. Exercise 1.1: Reliability/Validity. Exercise 1.2: Targets. Exercise 1.3: Skeptical/Suggestible Profile (SSP). Interview Challenge. 2. Preliminary Interviewing Considerations. Learning Objectives. Professional Development. Preparing for Interviews. Note Taking. Electronic Documentation. Role Playing. Unfreezing and Refreezing. Focused Audio or Video Feedback. Legal and Ethical Standards. Interviewing and Interrogation Research. Stereotypical Interrogation Reliefs. Interviewing with Time Constraints. Nonverbal Communication. Types of Nonverbal Communication. Risks in the Use of Nonverbal Communication. Nonverbal Interviewing Techniques. Detecting Deception in a n Interviewing. Basic Terms. Notes of Caution. Why is It So Difficult to Detect Deception. How to Catch a Liar. Diversions. Advice. Aversive Language. Gossip. Red-Crossing or Band-Aiding. Mind Raping. Summary. Study Questions. Exercise 2.1: Aversive and Technical Language. Exercise 2.2: Extended Role plays/Psychodrama. Interview Challenge. 3. Diversity and Special Needs. Learning Objectives. A Framework for Multiculturalism and Diversity. Traumatized Interviewees. Interviewees with Special Challenges. Interviewees with Special Learning Challenges. Children. Adolescents. Offenders. Sociopaths. Zones of Questioning. Confidential Informants. Sexual Aggressors. Addicted Offenders. Interviewees Under the Influence (IUI). Multicultural Interviewing. Basic Concepts in Multiculturalism. Interviewing and Worldview Dimensions. Language and Cultural Differences. Multiculturalism and Emotions. Diversity and Deception. Multicultural Interviewing Skills. Summary. Study Questions. Exercise 3.1: Multicultural Interviewing Competency and Knowledge Inventory (MICKI). Interview Challenge. 4. The Basic Skills Model. Learning Objectives. Introduction. to the Basic Skills Model. Interviewing Communication Theory. Pre-Assessment. Interview Appraisal Scales. Basic and Specialized Skills Hierarchy. Levels of Encounter. The Primary Interviewing Skills. Preliminary Training Considerations. Summary. Study Questions. Exercise 4.1: Class Interview Rating Worksheet. Assessment 4.1: Self-Ratings and Communication Pre-Test. Exercise 4.2: Stress, Memory, and Information Processing and the Inverted-U. Assessment 4.2: Interview Appraisal Scales. Exercise 4. 3: Distinguishing Between Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors. Assessment 4.3: Pre-Interviewing Self-Rating. Interview Challenge. 5. Skillfully Communicating Accurate Empathy. Learning Objectives. Benefits of Empathy. Intellectual vs. Therapeutic Empathy. Empathy vs. Sympathy. Empathy, Experience, and Talent. Cautions on the Use of Empathy. Communicating Empathy. The Basic Model of Empathy. Rating Responses. Modes of Interchangeable Responses. Semantic Hierarchy of Emotions. Diagnosing Emotional Content Conservatively. Summary. Study Questions. Exercise 5.1: Empathy. Interview Challenge. 6. Skillful Use of Speed and Pacing. Learning Objectives. Models of Interview Interaction. Speed and Pacing. Effective Use-of Silence. Listening. Summary. Study Questions. Exercise 6.1: Speed and Pacing. Interview Challenge. 7. Summarization Skills. Learning Objectives. The Purpose. When to Summarize. How to Summarize. Summary Models. Interviewee Summaries. Summary. Study Questions. Assessment 7.1: Interviewing Training Self-Efficacy Assessment: Knowledge and Skills. Exercise 4.1: Summarization. Exercise 4.2: Critical Summarization Points Inventory (CSPI). Interview Challenge. 8. Immediacy Skills. Learning Objectives. The Concept of Immediacy. Use of Immediacy Skills. Immediacy of Experiencing. Immediacy of Relationship. Summary. Study Questions. Exercise 8.1: Immediacy. Exercise 8.2: Social Distance Scale-Interviewing. Interview Challenge. 9. Concreteness Skills. Learning Objectives. Use of Concreteness. Asking Questions. They Cognitive Interview. Brief Motivational Interviewing (BMI). Forms of Concreteness. Study Questions. Exercise 9.1: Concreteness: Open-Ended Questions. Exercise 9.2: Concreteness: Leading Questions. Assessment 9.1: Interviewing Training Self-Efficacy Assessment: Knowledge and Skills. Exercise 9.3: Subjective units of Discomfort Affective Change and Severity. Survey. Interview Challenge. 10. Confrontational Skills. Learning Objectives. Confrontation in Criminal Justice. Invitation. Guidelines for Confrontation. Summary. Study Questions. Exercise 10.1: Confrontation. Confrontation Vignettes. Interview Challenge. 11. Assertion Skills. Learning Objectives. Assertion Skills. Assertion Skills in Criminal Justice. Assertive Responses. Types of Assertion. Techniques. Summary. Study Questions. Assertion Scenarios. Assessment 11.1: Interviewing Training Self-Efficacy Assessment: Knowledge and Skills. Exercise 11.1: Assertion Skills. Interview Challenge. 12. Skill Integration. Learning Objectives. Systematic Training Model. Developing a Personal Style. Returning to a Safe Recourse. Making Skill Decisions. Cycling Back. Staging Subsequent Action. Applying Theories, Techniques, and Practices. Future Trends in Interviewing. State of the Art and Science. Future Trends. Conclusions and Recommendations. Summary. Assessment 12.1: Communication Post-Test. Assessment 12.2: Post Interviewing Self-Rating. Study Questions. Interview Challenge.