Interrogative suggestibility in adults diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperativity disorder (ADHD). A potential vulnerability during police questioning

Psychologists are commonly asked to ascertain the reliability of statements made by suspects to the police during questioning. Interrogative suggestibility is an important psychological vulnerability during interrogation and this was investigated in 36 people who met full diagnostic criteria for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and compared with that of 36 general population controls. People with ADHD were not found to be significantly more suggestible than the control participants, because in spite of their attentional problems, restlessness and impulsivity, they cope during interrogation by giving a disproportionate number of ‘don’t know’ replies rather than yielding to suggestions and interrogative pressure. The findings suggest that behavioural inhibition and lack of confidence in their memory may be more important than memory deficits in understanding how people with ADHD cope with questioning.