The impact of interrogation stress on compliance and suggestibility in U.S. military special operations personnel

The present study was performed to test whether acute stress exposure would significantly increase human compliance and suggestibility. One hundred active duty military participants enrolled in military survival school training were randomized to receive the Gudjonsson Compliance and Suggestibility Scales (GCS and GSS) prior to, during or after exposure to interrogation stress. All participants were also assessed prior to, and after stress exposure for symptoms of dissociation. Stress exposure significantly increased compliance in individuals who exhibited a pre-stress propensity to dissociation; stress exposure significantly increased suggestibility. These data support the view that some individuals are more likely than others to experiencing an increase in compliance and in suggestibility if exposed to interrogation stress. These data also suggest that individuals who are vulnerable to stress induced increases in suggestibility and compliance can be identified using psychological measures of dissociation.