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The Right to Silence and the Permission to Talk: Motivational Interviewing and High-Value Detainees

DOI:10.1037/amp0000588
Authors:
Frances Surmon-Böhr at University of Liverpool
Frances Surmon-Böhr
Laurence John Alison at University of Liverpool
Laurence John Alison
Paul Christiansen at University of Liverpool
Paul Christiansen
Emily Alison at University of Liverpool
Emily Alison
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Abstract and Figures

Motivational interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based intervention that has proved effective across diverse clinical contexts with clients ambivalent about and resistant to behavioral change. This article argues that the principles of MI can be successfully applied to law enforcement (LE) interviews with high-value detainees (HVDs; i.e., terrorist suspects). Although the forms of ambivalence and resistance may differ from those in clinical contexts, HVDs must make the decision whether to talk or not when they are interviewed. We argue there is likely ambivalence regarding this. We theorized that 4 MI-consistent (MI) skills may be useful for LE interviewers: reflective listening, summaries, rolling with resistance, and developing discrepancies. Using the Observing Rapport Based Interpersonal Techniques coding manual (Alison, Alison, Elntib, & Noone, 2012), we analyzed 804 tapes of LE interviews with 75 terrorism suspects in the United Kingdom. Multilevel structural equation modeling revealed that MI skills encouraged detainee engagement and subsequent information gain. It also revealed that any approach antithetical to MI had a profoundly negative impact on detainee engagement and subsequent information gain-potentially through creating reactance (a form of resistance based on motivations to regain a freedom when it is threatened). Overall, this research provides unique evidence for the use of specific skills and approaches that can increase or decrease HVD engagement and information provided. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
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The Right to Silence and the Permission to Talk: Motivational Interviewing
and High-Value Detainees
Frances Surmon-Böhr, Laurence Alison, Paul Christiansen, and Emily Alison
University of Liverpool
Motivational interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based intervention that has proved effective across
diverse clinical contexts with clients ambivalent about and resistant to behavioral change. This
article argues that the principles of MI can be successfully applied to law enforcement (LE)
interviews with high-value detainees (HVDs; i.e., terrorist suspects). Although the forms of
ambivalence and resistance may differ from those in clinical contexts, HVDs must make the
decision whether to talk or not when they are interviewed. We argue there is likely ambivalence
regarding this. We theorized that 4 MI-consistent (MI) skills may be useful for LE interviewers:
reflective listening, summaries, rolling with resistance, and developing discrepancies. Using the
Observing Rapport Based Interpersonal Techniques coding manual (Alison, Alison, Elntib, &
Noone, 2012), we analyzed 804 tapes of LE interviews with 75 terrorism suspects in the United
Kingdom. Multilevel structural equation modeling revealed that MI skills encouraged detainee
engagement and subsequent information gain. It also revealed that any approach antithetical to MI
had a profoundly negative impact on detainee engagement and subsequent information gain—
potentially through creating reactance (a form of resistance based on motivations to regain a
freedom when it is threatened). Overall, this research provides unique evidence for the use of
specific skills and approaches that can increase or decrease HVD engagement and information
provided.
Public Significance Statement
This article provides empirical support for using a humane, respectful, and compassionate approach
to interrogating high-value detainees (i.e., terrorist suspects) to encourage cooperation and disclosure
of information. These findings have potential to improve methods of national security while
promoting fair treatment of detainees.
Keywords: motivational interviewing, high-value detainees, interrogation, terrorism, rapport
Motivational interviewing (MI)—an evidence-based clin-
ical intervention originally developed for treating substance
misuse—is described as (a) person-centered, using clients’
own knowledge and expertise about themselves (Tudor,
2008)—and (b) goal-directive, insofar as therapists inten-
tionally target clients’ ambivalence about behavioral change
(W. R. Miller & Rollnick, 2013). In its original context,
ambivalence refers to simultaneous motivations drawing a
client toward or away from substance misuse (W. R. Miller
& Rollnick, 2013). Therapists practicing MI provide a di-
rective but nonjudgmental environment for clients to artic-
ulate their thoughts, feelings, and beliefs surrounding the
contemplation of behavioral change. Client insight mo-
ments are never forced by therapists, because attempts to
push in favor of change can create client reactance—a form
of resistance in which a person is motivated to regain a
freedom after it has been either lost or threatened (Brehm,
1966). Consequently, berating, rational arguments, and even
gentle encouragement can reinforce clients’ defensive artic-
ulation of motivations to stick with the misuse pattern
whereas, previously, they were contemplating change
(W. R. Miller & Rollnick, 2013). Conversely, acknowledg-
This article was published Online First January 16, 2020.
XFrances Surmon-Böhr, Laurence Alison, Paul Christiansen, and Em-
ily Alison, Centre for Critical and Major Incident Psychology, School of
Psychology, University of Liverpool.
Part of the data used in this study was collected as part of a project
funded by High-Value Suspect Interrogation Group (HIG) FBI-HIG Con-
tract DJF-3900001-148419, awarded to Laurence Alison at the University
of Liverpool. Statements of fact, opinion, and analysis in the study are
those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or
position of the HIG or the U.S. government. The authors would like to
thank the regional Counter-Terrorism Units and the National Counter
Terrorism Policing Headquarters for its support.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Frances
Surmon-Böhr, Centre for Critical and Major Incident Psychology, Univer-
sity of Liverpool, Eleanor Rathbone Building, Bedford Street South, Liv-
erpool L69 7ZA, United Kingdom. E-mail: f.surmon-bohr@liverpool.ac.uk
This document is copyrighted by the American Psychological Association or one of its allied publishers.
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American Psychologist
© 2020 American Psychological Association 2020, Vol. 75, No. 7, 1011–1021
ISSN: 0003-066X http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/amp0000588
1011
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... That is, interviewers should avoid situations in which the suspect believes there is little or no hope for maintaining or recovering their credibility. Experimental and observational research suggests that providing a nonjudgmental and non-guilt-presumptive environment can increase the likelihood suspects will disclose concealed information (Alison et al., 2013;May et al., 2017;Surmon-Böhr et al., 2020). For these reasons, the SoS approach avoids direct accusations of culpability or of deception. ...
... There is a risk that such confrontations could lead to suspects becoming less engaged and more withholding with information, particularly if they are done judgmentally (e.g. involving an accusation of deception; Alison et al., 2013;Surmon-Böhr et al., 2020). However, it seems these effects on self-assessment and perceived interaction quality were not sufficient to discourage participants from attempting to create a credible impression by disclosing information about their activities. ...
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... Even in the most extreme situations, new research finds the application of MI has proved helpful. Research has found that neither torture (O'Mara, 2017) nor other aggressive interrogation methods (Alison, et al., 2014) are as successful as interventions based on development of a working alliance.. MI has also recently been applied to counter-terrorism policing and deradicalization efforts (Clark, 2019) as well as improving interrogation techniques with detainees (Surmon-Böhr, et al., 2020). Ramping up coercion and toughness is paradoxical-the more you do it, the worse it gets. ...
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... However, at the end of the study, all the materials taught to the experimental group were also presented to the control group in the form of a training package. The motivational interview sessions were based on the AIM model and structured around the book "Motivational Interviewing: Preparing People for Change" by Surmon-Böhr and Alison (10). ...
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Can the person-centred approach work in time-limited counselling and psychotherapy? This is a question that many practitioners grapple with as demand for brief therapy increases - particularly in the public sector. Brief Person-Centred Therapies is the first book to tackle the subject, bringing together the experience and insights of a leading international team of person-centred specialists. The book examines the "theoretical fit" between the person-centred approach and brief therapy. It also explores the issues which arise when working briefly in a range of different settings, including primary care, higher education and business. Brief Person-Centred Therapies is essential reading for all person-centered trainees and for practitioners who want to work in services where brief work is called for.
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