Discuss the usefulness of the cognitive interview as a technique for improving eyewitness recall.

Question 10 Mark Scheme

Discuss the usefulness of the cognitive interview as a technique for improving eyewitness recall.

[16 marks]

What is expected in the answer?

The command word “discuss” requires students to explain how the cognitive interview works and then make a reasoned judgement about how useful it is for improving eyewitness recall. For 16 marks, students should describe the main techniques accurately, explain why they might improve retrieval, and then consider research support and practical limitations such as accuracy, training and the time required to conduct the interview.

The current specification explicitly includes the use of the cognitive interview within eyewitness testimony.

Marks for this question: AO1 = 6, AO3 = 10

As this is an original 16-mark discussion question without application, an appropriate allocation is AO1 = 6 and AO3 = 10.

Level	Marks	Description
4	13–16	Knowledge of the cognitive interview and its techniques is accurate and generally well detailed. Discussion of its usefulness is thorough and effective. Relevant evidence, theoretical justification and practical limitations are clearly linked to improving eyewitness recall. The answer is clear, coherent and focused, with effective use of specialist terminology.
3	9–12	Knowledge of the cognitive interview is evident but there may be occasional inaccuracies or omissions. Discussion of usefulness is mostly effective and relevant evidence or practical considerations are used appropriately. The answer is generally clear and organised but may lack development in places.
2	5–8	Limited knowledge of the cognitive interview is present. One or more techniques may be insufficiently explained. The response is mainly descriptive and discussion of usefulness is only partly effective.
1	1–4	Knowledge is very limited or muddled. The response may simply list techniques without explaining how they improve recall. Discussion is limited, poorly focused or absent. Specialist terminology is absent or used inaccurately.
0	0	No relevant content.

The supplied mark schemes identify the four core cognitive interview techniques and require students to explain how they can facilitate recall rather than simply naming them.

Indicative content

AO1: The cognitive interview

Credit relevant knowledge such as:

• The cognitive interview (CI) is an interviewing technique designed to improve the amount of information eyewitnesses can retrieve from memory.

• It attempts to maximise retrieval by providing witnesses with additional routes or cues for accessing memories.

• The four main techniques are:

  • report everything

  • mental reinstatement of context

  • change the order

  • change perspective.

• Features of the enhanced cognitive interview may also be credited where relevant.

The June 2020 mark scheme identifies all four of these techniques and also allows relevant features of the enhanced cognitive interview.

Report everything

Credit relevant knowledge such as:

• The witness is encouraged to report every detail that they can remember.

Want to read more?

Subscribe to revision-notes.com to keep reading this exclusive post.

Subscribe Now