A Theory of Psychological Reactance in Involuntary Interactions
Purpose:
Since the willing participation of the interviewee is crucial for obtaining relevant information, a proper approach to the investigation interview is of utmost importance. The purpose of the paper is to draw attention to the psychological reactance as one of the key factors evoking the resistance in willingness to participate of suspects (and other clients) in criminal procedures which can result in inefficient obtaining of relevant information.
Methods:
To identify and define the discussed problem, the paper presents a theoretical-qualitative literature review.
Findings:
The theory of psychological reactance has become very recognizable since its first proposal and is used in many research areas. Surprisingly, literature on crime investigation is very scarce with its attention to psychological reactance in investigative interviews. It is not often explicitly emphasized in existing literature, yet it is still used in modern interrogation techniques, although it is not always identified as such. Additional literature could prompt theoreticians and practitioners to implement this theory and its specific properties to their work in order to achieve better results in obtaining valuable and relevant information in criminal procedures.
Originality/Value:
Without proper attention, psychological reactance can obstruct or even block effective obtaining of relevant information in criminal procedures. This paper presents an important insight into the unconscious emotional reaction of resistance which can be evoked in working with suspects (or other clients in an involuntary interactions).
UDC: 343.1:159.9
Keywords: psychological reactance, resistance, interrogation, investigative interview, criminal procedure, involuntary interactions