Graduation Year
2023
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.A.
Degree Name
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Degree Granting Department
Psychology
Major Professor
Edelyn Verona, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Christine Ruva, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Jonathan Rottenberg, Ph.D.
Keywords
Interpersonal-Affective, Mock Jurors, Criterion Effects, Mental Health Evidence, Capital punishment
Abstract
Layperson misconceptions and stigma surrounding mental illness can have devastating consequences in criminal trials, especially capital (death penalty) cases. Psychopathy is a particularly stigmatizing disorder often used as an aggravating factor in capital cases. The present experimental study examined how case vignettes that included descriptions of psychopathic traits (i.e., criterion effects) differentially influenced juror decision-making. Specifically, undergraduate participants read case facts about a convicted defendant and were randomly assigned to read one of five expert witness testimony conditions describing the defendant using: interpersonal-affective psychopathy traits (e.g., superficially charming, manipulative), antisocial-lifestyle traits (e.g., reckless, aggressive), combined interpersonal-affective and antisocial-lifestyle traits, or control trait conditions: clinical (autistic) or non-clinical. Participants across all conditions (n=444) provided ratings of defendant perceived psychopathy, future dangerousness, and treatment amenability on a Likert scale and voted to sentence the defendant to either life in prison or death. We found that both trait description, particularly interpersonal-affective traits, and perceived psychopathy of the defendant were significantly related to mock juror ratings of treatment amenability and future dangerousness, but not to sentencing to death. Instead, sentencing was related to juror gender, treatment amenability, and future dangerousness. These mixed results suggest nuance in juror decision-making that should be further examined by investigating potential moderators. Understanding juror perceptions of mental health conditions is key to preventing bias in the courtroom.
Scholar Commons Citation
Hall, Bailey A., "The Effect of Psychopathy Trait Descriptions on Mock Juror Decision-Making" (2023). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/10046
