good-cop/bad-cop
Contrasting interrogator strategy
Good-cop/bad-cop is an interrogation technique where two questioners alternate approaches—one threatening or aggressive, the other sympathetic and reasonable—to pressure a subject into cooperating with the "friendly" one.
The method extends beyond police work to any situation where partners strategically play opposing roles: They pulled a good-cop/bad-cop routine in the salary negotiation.
Underhanded control of others
- contrastNotable difference between things
- dissonanceLack of harmony
- rapportHarmonious mutual connection
- trustConfidence in another
intimidation · fear · relief · compliance · persuasion · sympathy · hostility · bonding
Seeking answers through inquiry
- suspectBelieve to be likely
- confessionAdmission of wrongdoing
- interviewFormal questioning session
- detectiveProfessional crime investigator
police · pressure · cooperation · tactics · guilty · alibi · statement · witness
Two working together
- partnerOne who shares activity
- teammateFellow squad member
- dynamicActive and changing
- routineRegular sequence of actions
act · performance · teamwork · pairing · counterpart · foil · collaboration · switch
Borrowed capital for amplified returns
- concessionYielding a point
- hardballUncompromising competitive tactics
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
- dealmakingNegotiating mutual agreements
bargaining · demands · ultimatum · counterpart · walkaway · terms · pressure · anchor
manipulation
Underhanded control of others
- contrastNotable difference between things
- dissonanceLack of harmony
- rapportHarmonious mutual connection
trust · intimidation · fear · relief · compliance · persuasion · sympathy · hostility · bonding · anxiety
questioning
Seeking answers through inquiry
- suspectBelieve to be likely
- confessionAdmission of wrongdoing
- interviewFormal questioning session
detective · police · pressure · cooperation · tactics · guilty · alibi · statement · witness · precinct
duo
Two working together
routine · act · performance · teamwork · pairing · counterpart · foil · collaboration · switch · alternating
leverage
Borrowed capital for amplified returns
- concessionYielding a point
- hardballUncompromising competitive tactics
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
dealmaking · bargaining · demands · ultimatum · counterpart · walkaway · terms · pressure · anchor · bluff
good-cop/bad-copwaterboarding
Controlled asphyxiation interrogation technique
good-cop/bad-copcards on the table
Total openness about intentions
straight shooting · straight talk · plain dealing · what-you-see-is-what-you-get · unvarnished truth