Understanding pretrial publicity: predecisional distortion of evidence by mock jurors

Journal of Experimental Psychology. Applied
Lorraine HopePeter McGeorge

Abstract

Prejudicial pretrial publicity (PTP) constitutes a serious source of juror bias. The current study examined differences in predecisional distortion for mock jurors exposed to negative PTP (N-PTP) versus nonexposed control participants. According to work by K. A. Carlson and J. E. Russo (2001), predecisional distortion occurs when jurors bias new evidence in favor of their current leading party (prosecution or defense) rather than evaluating this information for its actual probative properties. Jury-eligible university students (N=116) acted as jurors in a mock trial. Elevated rates of guilty verdicts were observed in the N-PTP condition. Predecisional distortion scores were significantly higher in the N-PTP condition and reflected a proprosecution bias. The effect of prejudicial PTP on verdict outcomes was mediated by predecisional distortion in the evaluation of testimony. Results are discussed in relation to motivated decision making and confirmation biases.

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Citations

Apr 1, 2010·Journal of Religion and Health·Paul C Vitz, Jennifer M Meade
Oct 12, 2010·Law and Human Behavior·Sarah M GreathouseMargaret Bull Kovera
Mar 24, 2009·Journal of Child Sexual Abuse·Robert J CramerStanley L Brodsky
Jan 10, 2014·Psychological Science·Simon J BlanchardMargaret G Meloy

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