You have the right to understand: the deleterious effect of stress on suspects' ability to comprehend Miranda

摘要: Miranda v. Arizona (384 U.S. 436, 1966) required that suspects be explicitly warned of the right to avoid self-incrimination and legal representation. This research was designed examine whether stress, induced via an accusation wrong-doing, undermined or enhanced suspects' ability comprehend their rights. Participants were randomly assigned either accused (n = 15) not having cheated on experimental task in a two-cell between-subjects design. Results supported hypothesis stress undermines who cheating exhibited significantly lower levels comprehension than participants cheating. The theoretical processes responsible for these effects implications findings police interrogation are discussed.