Abstract This study aimed to further clarify the association between interrogative suggestibility and Miranda rights comprehension
in adolescents; in particular, we examined whether intellectual ability (IQ) serves as a mediator of this relationship. Participants
completed Grisso’s Miranda Instruments, the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence, and the Gudjonsson Suggestibility
Scale. Many youth demonstrated poor comprehension of their rights, particularly younger and less intellectually capable adolescents.
Both yield and shift components of interrogative suggestibility were inversely related to rights comprehension; however, IQ
fully mediated these relationships. Neither demographic variables (gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status after controlling
for IQ, and English as a second language (ESL) status) nor previous police experience were significantly associated with rights
comprehension in the present sample. The implications of these findings are discussed.
in adolescents; in particular, we examined whether intellectual ability (IQ) serves as a mediator of this relationship. Participants
completed Grisso’s Miranda Instruments, the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence, and the Gudjonsson Suggestibility
Scale. Many youth demonstrated poor comprehension of their rights, particularly younger and less intellectually capable adolescents.
Both yield and shift components of interrogative suggestibility were inversely related to rights comprehension; however, IQ
fully mediated these relationships. Neither demographic variables (gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status after controlling
for IQ, and English as a second language (ESL) status) nor previous police experience were significantly associated with rights
comprehension in the present sample. The implications of these findings are discussed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- DOI 10.1007/s10979-009-9198-4
- Authors
- Kaitlyn McLachlan, Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC Canada V5A 1S6
- Ronald Roesch, Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC Canada V5A 1S6
- Kevin S. Douglas, Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC Canada V5A 1S6
- Journal Law and Human Behavior
- Online ISSN 1573-661X
- Print ISSN 0147-7307