ORBIT & Interpersonal Wheel

The ORBIT model's Interpersonal Wheel visually represents the interpersonal dynamics involved in investigative interviewing. It illustrates how different communication styles and behaviors can influence the interviewer-interviewee relationship and the overall effectiveness of the interview process.

The Interpersonal Wheel typically consists of four quadrants, each representing a different interpersonal style:

1. Cooperate - This quadrant reflects nurturing, empathetic, and relationship-oriented behaviors. Interviewers who adopt a supportive style focus on building rapport, demonstrating empathy, and creating a safe and trusting environment for the interviewee. They listen attentively, validate the interviewee's feelings, and offer encouragement and support. By adopting a supportive approach, interviewers can establish a positive and collaborative environment with the interviewee, leading to increased cooperation and disclosure.

2. Control - The directive quadrant represents structured, assertive, and goal-oriented behaviors. Interviewers adopt this directive take-charge style, setting clear objectives and guiding the conversation towards specific goals when the interviewee is not focused or appears to require directives to provide a narrative. The interviewee may use questioning techniques to elicit information, provide direction or clarification, and control the interview dynamics. By being directive, interviewers can ensure that the interview stays focused and productive, leading to more efficient information gathering.

3. Direct and Forthright - The analytical quadrant reflects frank, direct, and logical behaviors. Interviewers who adopt an analytical style focus on gathering and analyzing factual information, evaluating evidence, and uncovering inconsistencies or discrepancies in the interviewee's account. They may ask probing questions, seek clarification on ambiguous points, and scrutinize the accuracy and reliability of the information provided. By being direct, interviewers can uncover hidden details, clarify misunderstandings, and address the credibility of the interviewee's statements.

4. Capitulate - This quadrant represents strategies addressing the interviewee's controlling behaviors. In situations where the interviewee desires autonomy and control or simply needs to feel empowered, the interviewer's role shifts to one of passive facilitation—listening attentively, observing nonverbals, exercising patience, and refraining from engaging in confrontational or argumentative discourse. Despite its counterintuitive nature, this approach is often the most impactful and effective tool for fostering productive communication and cooperation during interviews, especially with resistant interviewees.

The power of the Interpersonal Wheel lies in its capacity to empower interviewers to understand and adapt their communication style to meet the needs and preferences of the interviewee. By recognizing the interpersonal dynamics at play and adjusting their approach accordingly, interviewers can build rapport, establish trust, and facilitate effective communication with the interviewee. Whether it's being supportive, directive, forthright, or capitulating, the key is to strike a balance between these different styles based on the specific context and objectives of the interview. Ultimately, by leveraging the interpersonal wheel, interviewers can decrease the interviewee’s resistance to talk and enhance the quality and reliability of the information obtained during investigative interviews.