Rapport building in suspect interviewing: A comparison of relationship- and procedure-based approaches in a laboratory setting

Both researchers and practitioners have stressed the importance of developing rapport in the investigative interviewing of criminal suspects. There is, however, no clear definition of what constitutes rapport and ways of achieving and maintaining rapport. Most research on rapport building with suspects have focused on a positive personal bond between the investigator and suspect (i.e., relationship-based approach), while more recent research suggests the merits of a neutral type of rapport building that focuses on developing a mutual understanding of the interrogation process and roles (i.e., procedure-based approach). The present study thus aimed to examine the effects of relationship- and procedure-based rapport building approaches on suspect interviewing outcome. Using a modified version of Russano, Meissner, Narchet, and Kassin’s (2005) cheating paradigm, “guilty” participants were interviewed using different rapport building approaches in a laboratory setting. We found that participants were more likely to confess in the procedure-based condition than in the relationship-based and control conditions. However, both approaches did not have an effect on the number of details participants were willing to disclose. We also found that the procedure-based approach affected participants’ perception about the evidence. Theoretical and practical implications for rapport building in suspect interviewing are discussed

Rapport building in suspect interviewing: A comparison of relationship- and procedure-based approaches in a laboratory setting

Both researchers and practitioners have stressed the importance of developing rapport in the investigative interviewing of criminal suspects. There is, however, no clear definition of what constitutes rapport and ways of achieving and maintaining rapport. Most research on rapport building with suspects have focused on a positive personal bond between the investigator and suspect (i.e., relationship-based approach), while more recent research suggests the merits of a neutral type of rapport building that focuses on developing a mutual understanding of the interrogation process and roles (i.e., procedure-based approach). The present study thus aimed to examine the effects of relationship- and procedure-based rapport building approaches on suspect interviewing outcome. Using a modified version of Russano, Meissner, Narchet, and Kassin’s (2005) cheating paradigm, “guilty” participants were interviewed using different rapport building approaches in a laboratory setting. We found that participants were more likely to confess in the procedure-based condition than in the relationship-based and control conditions. However, both approaches did not have an effect on the number of details participants were willing to disclose. We also found that the procedure-based approach affected participants’ perception about the evidence. Theoretical and practical implications for rapport building in suspect interviewing are discussed

Self-identity development in Taiwanese college students

Self-identity development is a primary developmental task for undergraduate students (Arnett, 2000; Erikson, 1968). However, previous theories and models have been mainly constructed by Western studies (Hatano & Sugimura, 2017; Hatano et al., 2020). In addition, none of the previous findings have validated the five-factor identity processes model (Luyckx et al., 2008) under the Taiwanese context. Specifically, the five-factor identity processes model was derived from the past four-factor (Luyckx et al., 2006), three-factor process models (Crocetti et al., 2006, 2008), and the two-factor Marcia's identity status model (Marcia, 1966), including the dimensions of commitment making, identification with commitment, exploration in breadth, exploration in depth, and ruminative exploration for the global identity. Nevertheless, the applications of this model to non-Western cultures and the domain-specific identity are still understudied. For example, one Japanese study captured diverse and novel trajectories using this model (Hatano & Sugimura, 2017). Also, they observed most Japanese adolescents were in carefree diffusion status instead of the achievement status, which most adolescents in the western cultures belonged to. Furthermore, the five-factor model only dealt with the global identity instead of the domain-specific identity. Therefore, more research on cultural factors and local identity should be conducted to verify the existing theories and models. To bridge this gap, this study plans to collect 9-wave longitudinal data from Taiwanese undergraduate students through an online questionnaire. Instead of measuring the future domain (i.e., global identity), this study will particularly focus on the occupation domain. We will implement the latent profile analysis (LPA) for the cross-sectional data and latent class growth analysis (LCGA) to identify different possible trajectories across waves. Furthermore, we will use the latent change score model (LCSM) to inspect the co-development between 5 dimensions from the occupation domain of self-identity. Finally, we will examine the relationships among trajectories and other study variables (demographic variables, depressive symptoms, and psychological well-being). This study will provide insights into the application of existing developmental psychological theory and models to emerging adults from a non-Western country

Victim impact statement and lay judges’ decision making: Exploring cross-cultural and individual differences in East Asia

Research has shown that emotional testimony given by victims or their family can affect jurors’ or lay judges’ decision-making processes, but little attention has been paid to cross-cultural and individual variations. The present study examined whether cultural and individual differences were associated with how victim impact statement (VIS) affected mock lay judges’ decision making in East Asian contexts. Participants from Japan (n = 74) and Taiwan (n = 64) reviewed a transcript of a lay participation (or Saiban-In) trial with or without an emotional VIS by the bereaved family and then made verdict and sentencing decisions individually. The results showed no main and interaction effects of VIS and culture on verdict decision, perceived strength of evidence, and sentence decision. Regression analyses showed that Need for Affect predicted higher perceived strength of evidence against the defendant and more guilty verdicts, and the effects were stronger in the VIS condition. We concluded that emotional VIS in a written format may not be biasing by nature in East Asian contexts; however, including a VIS could risk the possibility of bias in the fact-finding process of lay judges with a higher tendency to approach emotional information

Adults' social cues facilitate young children's use of signs and symbols

Three experiments investigated the effect of an adult’s social cues on 2- and 3-year-old children’s ability to use a sign or symbol to locate a hidden object. Results showed that an adult’s positive, engaging facial expression facilitated children’s ability to identify the correct referent, particularly for 3-year-olds. A neutral facial expression and the presence of the adult’s hand also facilitated performance, but to a lesser degree than did an engaging facial expression. The effect of the adult’s social cues was greater for relatively unfamiliar signs and symbols (replica or arrow) than it was for a more familiar sign (pointing finger). These findings indicate that non-directional social cues such as facial expression help to convey communicative intent and facilitate children’s comprehension of signs and symbols

Novel Autoantibodies in Idiopathic Small Fiber Neuropathy.

OBJECTIVE Small fiber neuropathy (SFN) is clinically and etiologically heterogeneous. Although autoimmunity has been postulated to be pathophysiologically important in SFN, few autoantibodies have been described. We aimed to identify autoantibodies associated with idiopathic SFN (iSFN) by a novel high-throughput protein microarray platform that captures autoantibodies expressed in the native conformational state. METHODS Sera from 58 SFN patients and 20 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HCs) were screened against >1,600 immune-related antigens. Fluorescent unit readout and postassay imaging were performed, followed by composite data normalization and protein fold change (pFC) analysis. Analysis of an independent validation cohort of 33 SFN patients against the same 20 HCs was conducted to identify reproducible proteins in both cohorts. RESULTS Nine autoantibodies were screened with statistical significance and pFC criteria in both cohorts, with at least 50% change in serum levels. Three proteins showed consistently high fold changes in main and validation cohorts: MX1 (FC = 2.99 and 3.07, respectively, p = 0.003, q = 0.076), DBNL (FC = 2.11 and 2.16, respectively, p = 0.009, q < 0.003), and KRT8 (FC = 1.65 and 1.70, respectively, p = 0.043, q < 0.003). Further subgroup analysis into iSFN and SFN by secondary causes (secondary SFN) in the main cohort showed that MX1 is higher in iSFN compared to secondary SFN (FC = 1.61 vs 0.106, p = 0.009). INTERPRETATION Novel autoantibodies MX1, DBNL, and KRT8 are found in iSFN. MX1 may allow diagnostic subtyping of iSFN patients. ANN NEUROL 2021

Multiple myeloma in the marrow: pathogenesis and treatments.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a B cell malignancy resulting in osteolytic lesions and fractures. In the disease state, bone healing is limited owing to increased osteoclastic and decreased osteoblastic activity, as well as an MM-induced forward-feedback cycle where bone-embedded growth factors further enhance tumor progression as bone is resorbed. Recent work on somatic mutation in MM tumors has provided insight into cytogenetic changes associated with this disease; the initiating driver mutations causing MM are diverse because of the complexity and multitude of mutations inherent in MM tumor cells. This manuscript provides an overview of MM pathogenesis by summarizing cytogenic changes related to oncogenes and tumor suppressors associated with MM, reviewing risk factors, and describing the disease progression from monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance to overt MM. It also highlights the importance of the bone marrow microenvironment (BMM) in the establishment and progression of MM, as well as associated MM-induced bone disease, and the relationship of the bone marrow to current and future therapeutics. This review highlights why understanding the basic biology of the healthy and diseased BMM is crucial in the quest for better treatments and work toward a cure for genetically diverse diseases such as MM