You’re Almost There: Distance as a Metaphorical Conversational Strategy in Police Interrogations

• In Event: 1442 - Conflict in Social Interaction

Abstract

Police interrogations can be considered to be invitations for storytelling. When a detective asks a suspect to “tell me what happened,” the suspect is being asked to tell a story. As Gubrium and Holstein (2009: 10) observe, “Stories are assembled and told to someone, somewhere, at some time, for different purposes, and with a variety of consequences.” This presentation will examine how distance is used as a metaphorical conversational strategy in police interrogations. Phrases like, ‘You’re almost there,” or “We’re not quite there yet” invokes the image of the journey that the suspect is taking with the interrogator as they collaboratively construct. These phrases also serve as a conversational prompt for the suspect to extend the narrative s/he has been developing. They demonstrate acceptance of what has just been said, as well as a warning that the interrogation is not complete until the journey has been finished. While seemingly innocuous, these conversational devices can serve an important function is stimulating the production of a confession.

Author

• Gary C. David, Bentley University