Ross - Protective shields and videotape testimony on conviction rates

?
  • Created by: Steff06
  • Created on: 15-05-16 14:33
What was the aim of Ross' research?
To find out if the use of protective shields and videotaped testimony increases the likelihood of a guilty verdict. Investigate effects of protective devices on jury reaction to testimony.
1 of 21
Describe the methodology of Ross' research
A mock trial based on an actual court transcript. Professional film crew recorded actors playing roles in the case.
2 of 21
How many versions of the case were produced and what were they?
3 versions. 1 = Open court with child in full view. 2 = Child behind a 4 x 6ft screen. 3 = Child's testimony came via a video link.
3 of 21
Who were the participants in this study?
300 students (150 male, 150 female) from a psychology class. Mostly white, middle class.
4 of 21
What were the participants told the study was about and how many were allocated to each condition?
Told study was about psychology and the law. 100 allocated to each condition.
5 of 21
What did the participants watch and who was the defendant and who were the witnesses?
Watched 1 of the 3 versions of the 2 hour case of alleged abuse. Father was defendant, mother was witness, 2 expert witnesses (1 for each side) child herself was witness.
6 of 21
What was the procedure after watching the film of the case?
Participants gave their verdict and rated the credibility of of the child witness on various aspects of her story. Also rated credibility of defendant.
7 of 21
What was the alleged abuse the case was focused on?
A single touch whilst the father was giving the child a bath. Case focused on whether it was innocent or sexual in nature.
8 of 21
What did the judge read at the start of the research?
Judge read a warning before either the screen or video monitor were used directly to the jury to not imply guilt by their use.
9 of 21
What did the guilty verdicts show no differences or differences with?
Guilty verdicts show no significant differences between conditions but significant differences between males and females.
10 of 21
What percentage of males and females found the defendant guilty?
58.6% of females and 38.6% of males found the defendant guilty.
11 of 21
Where was the difference found between the jury's perception of the credibility of the defendant?
No significant differences found between conditions but again significant differences found between genders.
12 of 21
Who rated the defendant as less credible?
More females rated the defendant as less credible than the male.
13 of 21
Who rated the child as more credible?
Women rated the child as more credible than males did.
14 of 21
Describe the 2nd experiment that was conducted?
Experiment conducted after this study where conditions were the same but tape was stopped immediately after the child's testimony.
15 of 21
What did the results show for this experiment?
Those in the open court were far more likely to decide guilty, less gender effects.
16 of 21
Were there any differences for experiment 2 in terms of credibility of the witness?
No, this remained the same, no significant differences between conditions.
17 of 21
What did the results show from both about the risk of the defendant?
The defendant is not more at risk if protective shields or videotapes were used.
18 of 21
Which condition means its slightly less likely to produce conviction?
Video condition.
19 of 21
Where was the biggest difference found in the second experiment?
Where the trial was artificially interrupted to test the jury's response.
20 of 21
When is there no disadvantage to the defendant?
When the case is allowed to run its full course and the judge's warnings are in place, then there is no disadvantage to the defendant.
21 of 21

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Describe the methodology of Ross' research

Back

A mock trial based on an actual court transcript. Professional film crew recorded actors playing roles in the case.

Card 3

Front

How many versions of the case were produced and what were they?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Who were the participants in this study?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What were the participants told the study was about and how many were allocated to each condition?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Psychology resources:

See all Psychology resources »See all Core studies resources »