Thesis
Investigating the psychometric properties and factor structure of the perceptions of confession behavior during the holding and interrogation process (P-CHIP) instrument with adult inmates: a comparison to juvenile justice-involved and community youth
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Jun 2015
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-6557
Abstract
Contrary to intuition and to the constitutionally based protection against self-incrimination, individuals confess to crimes they never committed. When the validity of a confession is called into question, a psychologist may be retained to conduct a forensic evaluation of the defendant. Though the Gudjonsson Suggestibility Scales are a useful tool for assessing interrogative suggestibility, they do not directly assess false confession likelihood. Consequently, the Perceptions of Confession behavior during the Holding and Interrogation Process (P-CHIP) instrument, which was developed to directly assess confession behavior, may serve as a valuable assessment tool in such instances. This study utilized an incarcerated adult sample (n = 93) to establish reliability estimates for the P-CHIP True Confession Behavior, Stress, and False Confession subscales. Convergent validity estimates and the factor structure of the False Confession subscale were also established, and mixed-effects modeling was used to determine whether false confession likelihood differed by type of interrogation technique used. Additionally, results found with the adult sample were compared to those of juvenile-justice involved and community youth. Results demonstrated excellent internal consistency across all three subscales. The False Confession subscale showed convergent validity with the Gudjonsson Suggestibility Scale 2 and a two-factor structure characterized by directive and non-directive interrogation techniques. False confession likelihood did not differ significantly based on type of interrogation technique used. Different patterns emerged between adults and juvenile justice-involved youth as compared to community youth in False Confession score as well as in likelihood of falsely confessing. Overall, the P-CHIP continues to show promise as an instrument for assessing confession behavior in juvenile and adult populations; however, substantial additional research is needed before it is utilized as a clinical tool as part of a forensic evaluation. Limitations of the current study as well as future directions are discussed.
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Details
- Title
- Investigating the psychometric properties and factor structure of the perceptions of confession behavior during the holding and interrogation process (P-CHIP) instrument with adult inmates
- Creators
- Stephanie Carolyn Singer - DU
- Contributors
- Naomi E. Goldstein (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 6557; 991014632684504721