Good cop/bad cop

"Good cop/bad cop" routine, also called Mutt and Jeff, joint questioning or friend and foe,[1] is a psychological tactic used in negotiation and interrogation.[2] "Good cop/bad cop" tactics involve a team of two interrogators who take apparently opposing approaches to the subject. The interrogators may interview the subject alternately or may confront the subject at the same time.

"Good cop" redirects here. For the British television show, see Good Cop.
For other uses, see Good cop bad cop (disambiguation).

Technique

The "bad cop" takes an aggressive, negative stance towards the subject, making blatant accusations, derogatory comments, threats, and in general creating antipathy with the subject. This sets the stage for the "good cop" to act sympathetically, appearing supportive and understanding, and in general showing sympathy for the subject. The good cop defends the subject from the bad cop. The subject may feel able to cooperate with the good cop, either out of trust or out of fear of the bad cop and may then seek protection by the good cop and provide the information the interrogators are seeking.[3] The order can also be reversed. When performed in this manner, the good cop will try to gain a subject's trust. If that fails, the bad cop will intimidate the subject to make them crack under pressure.

The disadvantage of this technique is that it can be easily identified, and the "bad cop" may alienate the subject.[4]

See also

References
  1. See the declassified CIA Human Resource Exploitation Training Manual (1983), pp. 26-27.
  2. Susan Brodt & Marla Tuchinsky (March 2000). "Working Together but in Opposition: An Examination of the "Good-Cop/Bad-Cop" Negotiating Team Tactic". Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes. 81 (2): 155–177. doi:10.1006/obhd.1999.2879. PMID 10706812.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  3. Mark Homan (2010). Promoting Community Change: Making it Happen in the Real World. Cengage Learning. ISBN 978-0840031952. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  4. Roy J. Lewicki & Alexander Hiam (2011). Mastering Business Negotiation. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-1118046944. Retrieved 24 January 2015.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
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