The Reid Technique, developed by psychologist and former police officer John E. Reid in the 1950s, is a method of interrogation that teaches law enforcement “to use demeanor as a guide to judge innocence and guilt.” Around two-thirds of U.S. state police departments employ the technique. Gladwell criticizes the system for its reliance on the myth of transparency—the notion that one can judge another person’s character or motivations by observing their external behavior and demeanor.
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Reid Technique Term Timeline in Talking to Strangers
The timeline below shows where the term Reid Technique appears in Talking to Strangers. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter Twelve: Sandra Bland
...inner character. In fact, most training programs for law enforcement believe in transparency, too. The Reid Technique is a system that teaches law enforcement “to use demeanor as a guide to judge...
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