by Peter HyattWe have both subjective language and objective language before us for analysis as we seek to learn the truth from the subject's statement of reality. The statement is not reality, but the subject's statement of reality. B analyzing a statement, we can come closer to reality that what the subject wishes.
"
I got up at 6AM, took a shower, and went to work."
We note several things from this statement:
1.
Editing process. This means the subject has left out information. Did he have coffee? Better yet, did he put on clothes before he went to work? Did he use a towel to dry himself off after the shower? Editing is something we all do, otherwise we would never stop talking. In fact, those who do less editing than others are often called
"without a filter" or an incessant talker, and can test the patience of all. By leaving out information, the subject spares us many details, therefore, the details most important to the subject are included. Since the subject did not say he had coffee, we cannot say he had a coffee. Since the subject did not say he is married, we cannot, from the statement, say that he is married. In fact, if you, the analyst, know that he is married, in your analysis, you must stay within principle: Do not say he is married unless he tells us. Remember, we are not analyzing the subject, but his statement. This leads us to an important principle: What a subject leaves out of his statement is often vital information. Here by not mentioning his wife, we would seek to learn more about his relationship. (assuming knowledge of the case)
2.
Objective LanguageWhen we look at subjective language, there are two exceptions to subjective language:
a. Pronouns
b. Time
Pronouns and Time are exempt from subjective language, meaning that they are universal and not part of the internal subjective, personal dictionary.
"I got up at 6AM..." begins with the pronoun, "I"
Pronouns are instinctive and often begin in children as early as 2 years of age (sometimes earlier) with some able to say "my" or "mine" or "me" with hand signals, even younger than 2 years of age. "I" means "I" to all of us, and is objective. Pronouns are exempt from education levels.
Time is also objective. 6AM is a time that appears on a clock, and is not subjective, nor changing.
3.
Subjective Language "
I think that guy is so cool." The word "cool" is an example of subjective language. 2000 years from now, scientists will explain, "in those days, certain people in society appeared to have a slightly lower body temperature, which was, apparently, a desirable trait." Not likely any more than "she is hot" will be 'interpreted' as having run a fever.
But using this example, we do see the need to ask follow up questions of the subject to learn what the subject meant, if there is not more evidence in the statement. President Clinton's famous
"I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Ms. Lewinski..." is the now famous example. Clinton had explained to Lewinski that "relations" meant intercourse, therefore, they did not have "sexual relations." This clever sparring with words can be so strong within someone's emotions that they may even pass a polygraph. A jailer once accused of having sex with an inmate passed a polygraph as he was asked, "did you touch her?"
"Did you have sex with her?" Yet, later confessed to having oral sex and said, "
she had sex with me, I didn't have sex with her. I didn't even touch her!"George Anthony did not have a "
romantic" relationship with River Cruz. To him, this was "
funny", though he was not laughing. This is indicative that George Anthony did not consider his sexual relationship with River Cruz to be "romantic"; in fact, there are indications that George Anthony not only used her for sexual favors and for money, but held her in contempt. When George said he didn't have a
"romantic" relationship with her, we should believe him.
"I got up at 6AM..." is our original sample statement. Since "I" is objective, and "6AM" is objective (that is, 6AM is the same to me as it is to you), what part of this is subjective, possibly in need of follow up questions?
Answer: "
got up" is subjective.
"
Got up" doesn't sound objective but it is. In fact, experience in enough interviews will tell you that "got up" means different things to different people.
If you say "I got up at 6AM" what do you do? Here is what I have found:
1. Some say "got up" meaning that they were literally out of bed, up quickly upon hearing the alarm.
2. Some say "got up" means I woke up, put on the TV news, and laid in bed for another 15 minutes and then I...
3. Some will say "got up" means the day started only after having coffee.
One study showed that people generally got up in one or two ways. The first group, called the "A" group, shot out of bed as soon as the alarm went off. In the study, these people were later more likely to die of a heart attack between the hours of 8AM and 10AM, than were group "B"
Group "B" were those who "got up" meant lingering with coffee, chat, news, etc, for between 10 and 30 minutes, therefore reducing the trauma of getting up too quickly. They considered "getting up" a process in the morning. Group "B" wasn't lazy; they just lived longer.
Relevancy of seeking to understand subjective language is to get to the truth. If you heard George Anthony say that he did not have a "romantic" relationship (the language was chosen carefully) with River Cruz or you heard Bill Clinton say what he did, you can either accept it at face value, and be deceived, or press into truth. We do not re-define nor interpret for the subject: we seek clarity from them.
When President Clinton had to come clean and explain to Mrs. Clinton about his denial, it is likely that she did not agree with his definition of "sexual relations", judging by the black eye he showed up with outside the White House (he said he got it rough housing with Chelsea).
Seek to enter into the language of the subject, to grasp an understanding. A skilled polygrapher will use the pre-polygraph interview to enter into the subject's language so that he may have to ask a child molester, not 'did you molest her'? but specific questions such as "Did you tickle her?" and so on.
Those that pass a polygraph having "done it" in the crime, are not supermen sociopaths who, via concentration, can control their breathing, blood pressure, pulse, and perspiration, a la the evil genius of Dr. Hannibal Lector. They are just those who sat before a lazy or unskilled polygrapher who did not take the time to enter into the subjective, internal personal dictionary that each one of us has.
Next: Pronouns and Running Away from Commitment
