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Only Way

 

Techniques Interrogation > Only Way

Description | Example | Discussion | See also

 

Description

Show the person that there is only one thing that they can do, which is to give you the information you want.

Make them believe that there is no alternatives and no acceptable future unless they confess or otherwise provide you with the required information.

Allow them to feel good about conceding. Show them how this is not only necessary but also good and honorable. Praise them and show respect when they give you information.

Example

I have given you time to think. The only choice left is to confess now.

Quick! Before Harry comes! Tell me now!

There is a true case of a man interrogated about the abuse of small children. He was humiliated by the police, who made him undress and ridiculed him during a long and intense interrogation, including threats to turn him over to the local neighborhood. He confessed. His treatment was later found not to be in violation of any law. (Wagenaar et al. 1993)

Discussion

This method may only be used when the person is desperate and cannot face what will happen next. They must believe that punishment, humiliation or other intolerable future lies in front of them and that no other alternative course of action is available to them.

When faced with confession or psychic (or even physical) extinction, most people will choose confession.

See also

Assumption principle, Hurt and Rescue principle

Wagenaar, Willem A., van Koppen, Peter J. and Crombag, Hans F. M. (1993). Anchored Narratives: The Psychology of Criminal Evidence. Hertford, UK: Harvester Wheatsheaf.

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Site Menu

| Home | Top | Quick Links | Settings |

Main sections: | Disciplines | Techniques | Principles | Explanations | Theories |

Other sections: | Blog! | Quotes | Guest articles | Analysis | Books | Help |

More pages: | Contact | Caveat | About | Students | Webmasters | Awards | Guestbook | Feedback | Sitemap | Changes |

Settings: | Computer layout | Mobile layout | Small font | Medium font | Large font | Translate |

 

 

Please help and share:

 

Quick links

Disciplines

* Argument
* Brand management
* Change Management
* Coaching
* Communication
* Counseling
* Game Design
* Human Resources
* Job-finding
* Leadership
* Marketing
* Politics
* Propaganda
* Rhetoric
* Negotiation
* Psychoanalysis
* Sales
* Sociology
* Storytelling
* Teaching
* Warfare
* Workplace design

Techniques

* Assertiveness
* Body language
* Change techniques
* Closing techniques
* Conversation
* Confidence tricks
* Conversion
* Creative techniques
* General techniques
* Happiness
* Hypnotism
* Interrogation
* Language
* Listening
* Negotiation tactics
* Objection handling
* Propaganda
* Problem-solving
* Public speaking
* Questioning
* Using repetition
* Resisting persuasion
* Self-development
* Sequential requests
* Storytelling
* Stress Management
* Tipping
* Using humor
* Willpower

Principles

+ Principles

Explanations

* Behaviors
* Beliefs
* Brain stuff
* Conditioning
* Coping Mechanisms
* Critical Theory
* Culture
* Decisions
* Emotions
* Evolution
* Gender
* Games
* Groups
* Habit
* Identity
* Learning
* Meaning
* Memory
* Motivation
* Models
* Needs
* Personality
* Power
* Preferences
* Research
* Relationships
* SIFT Model
* Social Research
* Stress
* Trust
* Values

Theories

* Alphabetic list
* Theory types

And

About
Guest Articles
Blog!
Books
Changes
Contact
Guestbook
Quotes
Students
Webmasters

 

| Home | Top | Menu | Quick Links |

© Changing Works 2002-
Massive Content — Maximum Speed