Jurors Perception of Guilt, and Evidence Based on Gender

Date

2017-05

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Abstract

The present study was conducted to understand if there were gender differences among juries. A total of 122 self-reported vignette style surveys were distributed to a sample of convenience at a private Christian university. The study contained two separate conditions (rape and murder) in which participants were asked a series of questions pertaining to their condition. The use of DNA evidence was also looked at for any influential impact on participants’ decision making. A 2x2 MANVOA and a Factorial ANOVA were used to analyze the data. The 2x2 MANOVA was used to test whether the two separate crime conditions had an impact on perception of guilt. The Factorial ANOVA was used to test if DNA evidence had an impact on jurors’ perception of guilt as well. The results indicated that when it came to the type of crime, the participants in the murder condition gave the defendant a much harsher punishment than those in the rape condition. Results also revealed that DNA evidence had a higher rate of influencing the female participants. Unfortunately, limited to no support was found for gender being a determining factor for jury’s perception of guilt.

Description

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology

Keywords

Psychology, Criminology, Law

Citation

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