For practical purposes, it is useful to define the terms we will be using in the topic of interviewing and interrogation.

These terms are applicable to any discussion about interviewing. In order for meaningful instruction, a common understanding of basic terms is necessary.

GROUND TRUTH = The ground truth is a polygraph term utilized to mean the "real" truth of a situation, as opposed to the "perceived" truth.

Ground truth is sometimes referred to as the "actual" truth, although all truth is dependent upon perception.

It should be obvious to the reader that in many instances, the ground truth of a situation is never known.

LIE = A lie is an intentional misstatement that the person knows is not the truth. This implies an intentional, conscious desire to deceive and is not merely an incorrect statement.

PERCEPTION = The term perception refers to that which a person genuinely believes to be true, i.e., "Perception is Reality."

This means that a person has a set of internal filters, through which all sensory input passes. Therefore, all "truth" is dependent upon a person's perception of the ground truth.

FIELD INTERVIEW = A field interview is an attempt to elicit information in a field setting which is non-confrontational in nature.

This type of interview is conducted in a field setting, non-formal in nature.

FIELD INTERROGATION = A field interrogation is an attempt to elicit information in a field setting which is confrontational in nature.

This is also conducted in a non-formal setting in the field, not in a structured environment in a police interview room.

Interrogations are differentiated from interviews by the confrontational aspect of the interaction.

GENERAL INTERVIEW = A General interview is an unfocused set of questions with no defined goal, such as with a witness or a victim.

This type of interview involves no target for the interview, just general information gathering.

FOCUSED INTERVIEW = A focused interview consists of a structured, focused set of questioning with a clearly defined goal, such as fulfilling the elements of a crime.

This type of interview is target based with a defined goal, not an aimless information gathering session.

STRUCTURED INTERVIEW/INTERROGATION = Structured interviewing refers to formal questioning in a controlled setting of a non-confrontational or confrontational nature.

This type of interviewing Has a defined goal and is outcome oriented. Confrontation or lack thereof defines this as either an interview or an interrogation.

PSYCHOLOGICAL SET = Originally coined by Cleve Backster, a noted polygrapher, the term psychological set refers to a process of selective attention where the person's fears, anxieties and apprehensions are channeled toward the thing which presents the greatest immediate threat to a person's self-preservation. Simply put, the mind focuses on the most important threat to the organism, otherwise known as the thing which presents the most salience.

Ample evidence exists that the mind only focuses on one thing at a time and "multi-tasking' is a myth.