Advancing legal literacy: The effect of listenability on the comprehension of interrogation rights. (18th April 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Snook, Brent; Luther, Kirk; Eastwood, Joseph; Collins, Ryan; Evans, Sarah
• Is Part Of: Legal and criminological psychology. Volume 21:Number 1(2016:Feb.)
• Page Start: 174
• Page End: 188
• Publication Date: 2014-04-18
• Subjects: interrogations -- police cautions -- listenability -- legal literacy; Law -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Criminology -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; 340.19
• DOI: 10.1111/lcrp.12053
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1355-3259

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: To examine the effect of listenability features on the comprehension of interrogation rights. Method: In Experiment 1, students ( N = 76) underwent a mock interrogation where one of two police cautions (listenable caution vs. standard caution) was administered and students were asked to explain the caution in their own words. Experiment 2 ( N = 80) extended Experiment 1 by identifying the individual and additive effects of the listenability features on recall of their interrogation rights. Results: The results of Experiment 1 showed that the caution containing listenability features produced higher levels of recall than a standard caution. Results of Experiment 2 showed that repeating and organizing interrogation rights led to the greatest number of legal rights being comprehended. Conclusions: Listenability can be used as a tool to increase legal literacy.