The Effect of Inconsistency Between Two Eyewitnesses on Juror Perception: It Depends on Testimonial Contents
Location
Access Type
Campus Access Only
Entry Number
40
Start Date
4-7-2021 10:00 AM
End Date
4-7-2021 10:15 AM
Department
Psychology
Abstract
In some instances, a criminal court case is decided based on the information that is given by eyewitnesses. This research focused on how the existence of two eyewitnesses who vary in levels of consistency are perceived by potential jury members on measures of credibility, consistency, accuracy, and confidence. The research explored whether or not an eyewitnesses’ confidence level impacts the juror’s perceptions of testimony inconsistencies between eyewitnesses. Twenty-six Males (24%) and eighty-two females (76%) participated in this study by reading a manipulated trial transcript and then completing a questionnaire that asks about their perception of the eyewitness. The results of the data collection indicated that the presence of a second eyewitness does not change the perception of the target eyewitness, but that consistency and confidence influence case outcomes. These results are important because it allows individuals in the criminal justice system to cater their trial preparation to what will work best for their case.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Virginia Cylke
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The Effect of Inconsistency Between Two Eyewitnesses on Juror Perception: It Depends on Testimonial Contents
In some instances, a criminal court case is decided based on the information that is given by eyewitnesses. This research focused on how the existence of two eyewitnesses who vary in levels of consistency are perceived by potential jury members on measures of credibility, consistency, accuracy, and confidence. The research explored whether or not an eyewitnesses’ confidence level impacts the juror’s perceptions of testimony inconsistencies between eyewitnesses. Twenty-six Males (24%) and eighty-two females (76%) participated in this study by reading a manipulated trial transcript and then completing a questionnaire that asks about their perception of the eyewitness. The results of the data collection indicated that the presence of a second eyewitness does not change the perception of the target eyewitness, but that consistency and confidence influence case outcomes. These results are important because it allows individuals in the criminal justice system to cater their trial preparation to what will work best for their case.