Which concept explains why individuals may confess to crimes even if they are innocent?

The concept that explains why individuals may confess to crimes even if they are innocent is guilt alleviation. This idea revolves around the psychological burdens that individuals carry, which can lead them to confess falsely as a means of relieving internal conflict or emotional distress. When faced with intense questioning or pressure during an interrogation, some individuals might feel a compelling urge to confess, believing that doing so may absolve them of guilt or emotional discomfort they associate with the crime, even if they did not commit it.

Guilt alleviation is particularly relevant in situations where an individual may feel responsible for other factors surrounding the crime or has a deep-seated desire to please authority figures, leading them to believe that confessing—whether true or false—could potentially alleviate their anxiety or fear concerning the situation. This mechanism often highlights the complex interplay between psychological factors and the dynamics of interrogation.

In contrast, the other concepts—coercion, stress relief, and self-preservation—also play roles in why confessions occur but do not specifically capture the psychological drive of alleviating guilt. Coercion focuses on external pressures applied during interrogations, stress relief addresses immediate emotional reactions, and self-preservation concerns actions taken to protect oneself from consequences. However, guilt alleviation zeroes in