Guilty individuals more likely to confess following civil dialogue

By Staff Writer

Many problem teens who engage in illegal behavior lie in order to avoid punishment. Some parents rely on tough love to get vital information from their children, while other adults adopt a friendlier approach to gain their kids' trust.

A new study, which examined the interrogation process between police and criminals, reveals that the "good cop" approach is more effective than "bad cop." Researchers from the University of Montreal's School of Criminology observed 221 prisoners as law enforcement authorities attempted to extract information about the crimes that they had committed.

The team found that police had more success utilizing civil dialogue rather than coercion, which is the use of force and authority. By establishing a dialogue, police were more likely to land a confession. The study's author suggests that criminals feel the urge to confess for a variety of reasons: to relieve their guilt, to make their crime more acceptable in other people's eyes and to improve their chances of receiving a lighter punishment.

Adolescents who cause trouble and are at risk of becoming criminals may benefit from attending boarding schools.