A study in the relationship between interrogative suggestibility, compliance and social desirability in institutionalised adolescents

Abstract

Abstract This study is the first to investigate the relationship between interrogative suggestibility, compliance and social desirability in a British adolescent forensic sample. Fifty one institutionalised adolescents completed the Gudjonsson Suggestibility Scale (GSS1), the Gudjonsson Compliance Scale (GCS), and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire—Junior (EPQ-J). Their suggestible and compliant behaviours were rated by two residential staff who had daily contact with the adolescents. No correlations were found between Suggestibility scores and ratings of suggestible behaviour. A significant positive correlation was found between Gudjonsson Compliance Scale scores and ratings of compliant behaviour within the institution. This provides criterion-related validity for the GCS. The pattern of correlations between Compliance Scale scores and Suggestibility Scale scores indicated that adolescents who score more highly on compliance are vulnerable to leading questions (Yield 1) rather than interrogative pressure (Shift). Social desirabilility as measured by the Lie Scale of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Junior was found to correlate with suggestibility (Yield 1) and with self-reported compliance (GCS).