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Articles 1 - 27 of 27
Full-Text Articles in Psychology
Sentence Length And Perceptions Of Dangerousness As A Function Of Race, Attributional Complexity, And Ability To Meet Bail, Hannah Baldwin
Sentence Length And Perceptions Of Dangerousness As A Function Of Race, Attributional Complexity, And Ability To Meet Bail, Hannah Baldwin
Psychology Theses
Defendant race and ethnicity impact sentencing length decisions, leading to discrimination in the criminal justice system. Aspects of the pretrial process that strongly correlate with a defendant’s socioeconomic status, the use of cash bail, may also influence sentencing length, given the negative stereotypes about individuals of lower socioeconomic statuses. Relatively few studies have explored the impact of cash bail use on sentencing decisions or sought to understand why use of cash bail might influence these decisions. The current study investigates the impact of defendant ability to meet bail (yes v. no) on judgments of sentence length and dangerousness within the …
The Predictive Effect Of Parent Closeness On Substance Use For Coping In Adoptees: An Application Of Motivational Models Of Substance Use, Alison B. Klein
The Predictive Effect Of Parent Closeness On Substance Use For Coping In Adoptees: An Application Of Motivational Models Of Substance Use, Alison B. Klein
Psychology Theses
To explain a previously observed triad of substance abuse, adoption, and poor mental health adjustment in adoptees, the proposed study applies the Substance Use Motivation Model. This model would suggest that adoptees are motivated to use substances to negatively reinforce (remove or mitigate) depression and anxiety symptomology. Parent closeness is an established protective factor against negative mental health symptomology and substance use, suggesting closeness may influence the relationship between negative mental health symptomology and motivations to use substances for coping. To test this relationship, 100 adoptees were administered the Substance Use Motives Measure (SUMM), the Personal Health Questionaire-9 (Depression), the …
The Evolution Of Stereotypes About Alcohol Dependency In Film: Gender, Family, And Treatment, Jordan Sweenie
The Evolution Of Stereotypes About Alcohol Dependency In Film: Gender, Family, And Treatment, Jordan Sweenie
Psychology Theses
When watching films, people seek reflections and depictions of themselves and their experiences, something that they can understand and relate to. Movies are often looked at to decide, either subconsciously or consciously, how we view society, widespread issues, and one another—Oscar Wilde wrote that “Life imitates Art far more than Art imitates Life” (Wilde, 1891). This is particularly true in how we as a society view mental illness, and what kinds of stigma are reinforced or rejected through the film industry. Accurately portraying any form of mental illness in film can be difficult, as experiences are subjective and no two …
Examining The Effect Of Witnessing Sexual Harassment On School Engagement: The Moderating Role Of Gender, Emily Sgritta
Examining The Effect Of Witnessing Sexual Harassment On School Engagement: The Moderating Role Of Gender, Emily Sgritta
Psychology Theses
The following study investigated the potential relationships between directly or indirectly witnessing sexual harassment, the witness’ gender, school engagement, and psychological distress. Participants from an undergraduate university (N = 168) responded to a survey in which they answered questions relating to witnessing sexual harassment and their psychological distress, burnout, school engagement, and perceived social support after the event. For purposes of analyses, potential relationships on psychological distress and school engagement were examined further. Participants who directly witnessed sexual harassment reported lower school engagement than participants who didn’t report directly witnessing sexual harassment. Direct witnesses reported lower levels of vigor, dedication, …
Personality Assessment Inventory Predictors Of Parole For Adults Who Committed Murder As Juveniles, Karlie Rice
Personality Assessment Inventory Predictors Of Parole For Adults Who Committed Murder As Juveniles, Karlie Rice
Psychology Theses
Previously juveniles as young as 14 guilty of murder were eligible to be sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. However, the decision of Miller v. Alabama (2012) declared mandatory life without the possibility of parole (LWOP) unconstitutional. Juveniles sentenced to LWOP were now able to be either resentenced or eligible for possible parole. The current study examined which scales on the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) predict parole outcomes for adult men seeking parole who committed murder when they were juveniles and sentenced to LWOP. The PAI is a 344-item self-report assessment comprised of validity, clinical, interpersonal and treatment …
Applying Theoretical Explanations For Intimate Partner Violence, Sarah Devyn Trifari
Applying Theoretical Explanations For Intimate Partner Violence, Sarah Devyn Trifari
Psychology Theses
In the current study, we examined attributions of betrayal trauma theory, learned helplessness and toxic masculinity within the context of intimate partner violence. Betrayal trauma theory posits that interpersonal violence leads to victim isolation. Learned helplessness describes victim apathy and maladaptive passivity. Toxic masculinity features male aggressiveness, abusiveness, and sexism as a function of internalized gender norms. When examined individually, each theory enhances our understanding of how intimate partner violence unfolds. However, the value of exploring intimate partner violence through a joint theoretical lens, allows us to expand our understanding and interpretation of the merits of each theory. With this …
The Role Of Intellectual And Academic Abilities In Detention Placement Among Dually-Diagnosed Juvenile Offenders, Melissa Mcwilliams
The Role Of Intellectual And Academic Abilities In Detention Placement Among Dually-Diagnosed Juvenile Offenders, Melissa Mcwilliams
Psychology Theses
This study examined the moderating effects of IQ and academic skills in the relationship between dual diagnosis (i.e., co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders) and court-involved, non-incarcerated (CINI) juveniles’ detention placement at 12 months post court evaluation. CINI juveniles who underwent a court clinic forensic mental health evaluation (N = 249) completed a battery of assessments targeting demographic information, psychiatric symptoms, and cognitive/academic functioning (i.e., Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (KBIT-2), Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT-4)). Previous research demonstrated the predictive ability of co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders on CINI juveniles’ recidivism (Tolou-Shams et al., 2014). While we expected that …
Predicting Sexual Satisfaction From Self-Objectification And Alcohol Consumption, Nicole M. Nelson
Predicting Sexual Satisfaction From Self-Objectification And Alcohol Consumption, Nicole M. Nelson
Psychology Theses
This study was conducted to examine if gender, self-objectification and alcohol consumption were predictors of sexual satisfaction. It was expected that females would self-objectify more than males and self-objectification would negatively relate to satisfaction. It was expected that drinking alcohol would also negatively relate to satisfaction. Undergraduate participants (n=235) who reported a heterosexual sexual encounter within the past three months completed an online survey. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted separately for males and females. It was found that gender was not a predictor of satisfaction; self-objectification did however negatively relate to sexual satisfaction for males and females, and alcohol …
Predictive Validity Of The Savry Within A Diverse Population Of Juvenile Offenders, Scarlet Paria Woods
Predictive Validity Of The Savry Within A Diverse Population Of Juvenile Offenders, Scarlet Paria Woods
Psychology Theses
The current study examined the predictive validity of the SAVRY in African American and White recently adjudicated juvenile offenders in Louisiana. The sample consists of 267 community-based, male juvenile offenders, whom were tracked for an average follow-up period of 18 months. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses on the overall sample and African Americans, specifically, showed the numeric score predicted recidivism. Chi-square analyses found the SRR did not have a significant relationship with reoffending for general recidivism petitions. However, it was significant for all other forms of recidivism in the overall sample and African Americans. Hierarchical Cox regressions identified significant differences …
The Camera’S Eye: Effects Of Video-Recording Perspectives And Double Blind Procedures On Perceptions Of Eyewitnesses And Lineup Administrators, Geno Salomone
Psychology Theses
Mistaken identification is the leading cause of convicting the innocent. To help reduce erroneous convictions associated with eyewitness error, video recording of the lineup procedure and identification has been recommended. There is little research however, on how video recording influences perceptions of the witness and detective. The present study was a 2 (Administration of Lineup: Single-Blind v. Double-Blind) X 4 (Perspective: Detective focus v. Eyewitness focus vs. Focus on Both v. Audio Only) between subjects design examining the differential impact of camera angle and knowledge of suspect by the detective on perceptions of the eyewitness and detective. Eyewitnesses were perceived …
The Multifaceted Relationship Between Narcissism And Aggression: A Path Model, Vanessa Piccirilli
The Multifaceted Relationship Between Narcissism And Aggression: A Path Model, Vanessa Piccirilli
Psychology Theses
The present study examined the complex relationship between narcissism and perceptions of aggression by conceptualizing these constructs using a path analysis model. High levels of affect intensity and low levels of attributional complexity were identified as potential mediators for the relationship between narcissism and perceptions of aggression. Participants first completed four self-report measures and were primed by writing an essay about a time they felt insulted (v. control). They then answered questions regarding a hypothetical situation prompting aggression through action and/or insult. ANOVA revealed overt narcissists more likely to view their behavior as excessive in a hypothetical insult situation in …
The Effect Of Age And Expression Of Affect On Jurors’ Perceptions Of Child Witnesses, Carly W. Hanks
The Effect Of Age And Expression Of Affect On Jurors’ Perceptions Of Child Witnesses, Carly W. Hanks
Psychology Theses
A child witness’s testimony may be an invaluable piece of evidence; therefore, it is essential to study the circumstances under which jurors perceive children as credible witnesses. The current study examined affect while testifying on perceptions of the child’s credibility, the amount of blame attributed to the witness, and case verdict decisions. A case scenario about an aggravated robbery of a girl who was either 6- or 13-years-old and who either cried or remained calm while testifying was read by 186 undergraduate participants. No age effects were found, possibly due to the non-sexual nature of the case. No effects for …
Debunking Misconceptions: Do Jury Instructions Influence Comprehension And Verdict Selection, Aryssa Z. Washington
Debunking Misconceptions: Do Jury Instructions Influence Comprehension And Verdict Selection, Aryssa Z. Washington
Psychology Theses
The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of jury instructions that debunk common misconceptions versus standard instructions, with regards to verdict choice, comprehension of the legal standard, and reasoning used to support verdict decisions. A case summary was read by 159 participants who then listened to auditory instructions from a judge regarding the legal standards for second degree murder and voluntary manslaughter. They then completed measures assessing verdict, comprehension, and reasoning. While the results revealed that the legal instructions did not influence participants’ verdicts or comprehension of the legal standard, the data suggests that participants may have …
Considering Constitutionally Relevant Evidence: An Assessment Of Childhood Physical Abuse As A Non-Statutory Mitigating Circumstance, Fotine Konstantopoulou
Considering Constitutionally Relevant Evidence: An Assessment Of Childhood Physical Abuse As A Non-Statutory Mitigating Circumstance, Fotine Konstantopoulou
Psychology Theses
The present study examines the role of a specific instruction designed to guide jurors on non-statutory mitigating circumstances in determining sentence recommendation. To date, there is no research examining whether specific instructions provide more guidance, and improve jurors’ discretion compared to the current general instructions. We predicted that specific mitigating instructions would increase confidence in life sentencing compared to generic instructions as well as revised instructions. We also predicted that expert testimony of childhood physical abuse would minimize death penalty recommendations. Contrary to our predictions, we found that exposure to generic instructions increased confidence in a life sentence. In addition, …
Relationship Between Exposure To Familial Violence And Rapists’ Offense Level Of Force, Courtney A. Meyer
Relationship Between Exposure To Familial Violence And Rapists’ Offense Level Of Force, Courtney A. Meyer
Psychology Theses
There has been substantial research on the effects of familial violence on rapists and factors which lead a person to rape (Connolly & Woollons, 2008; Jaffe, Wilson, & Wolfe, 1986; Kitzman, Gaylord, Holt, & Kenny, 2003; Lee, Jackson, Pattison & Ward, 2002). However, there has been no research in identifying the factors which link rapists’ offense level of force and exposure to familial violence. In the present study we investigated how offenders exposed to domestic violence differ from those not exposed in the following factors: rates of physical abuse, rates of sexual victimization by both men and women, rates of …
Dangerous Criminals Or Misunderstood? Assessing Police Perceptions Of The Mentally Ill, Amy Roach
Dangerous Criminals Or Misunderstood? Assessing Police Perceptions Of The Mentally Ill, Amy Roach
Psychology Theses
People diagnosed with mental illnesses are often confronted with stigmatization and discrimination because they are stereotyped as dangerous and unpredictable. Police officers are typically the first to respond to a potentially dangerous mentally ill person and therefore, it is important to understand how police officers’ perceive mentally ill persons and how they respond to a call regarding a suspect displaying symptoms associated with mentally illness. Sixty police officers read one of six vignettes involving a call to investigate a suspicious male loitering behind a store. The vignettes differed only on the perceived severity of the mental illness (mild or severe) …
Life Without Parole: The Influence Of Age And Race On The Sentencing Of Juvenile Offenders, Maria Annabel Mireles
Life Without Parole: The Influence Of Age And Race On The Sentencing Of Juvenile Offenders, Maria Annabel Mireles
Psychology Theses
In 2010, the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional to sentence adolescents charged with non-homicide crimes to life without parole (Graham v. Florida, 2012). Currently, research regarding life without parole is assessed in conjunction with the death penalty, in which life without parole is proposed as a lesser alternative to the death penalty. The current study investigated whether age and race are predictive factors in sentencing juvenile offenders. A sample consisting of 225 undergraduate students were presented with one of six case scenarios adapted from Wilkins v. Missouri (1985) in which the defendant’s age (13, 15, 17) and race …
Jurors’ Use Of Non-Statutory Aggravating And Mitigating Evidence In The Context Of Improper Prosecutor Argument, Alicia Serpa
Jurors’ Use Of Non-Statutory Aggravating And Mitigating Evidence In The Context Of Improper Prosecutor Argument, Alicia Serpa
Psychology Theses
The proposed research examined the affective and cognitive processes involved in jurors’ reactions to comparative value arguments and evidence of non-statutory aggravating and mitigating circumstances in the sentencing phase of a capital trial. The experiment utilized a 2 (Permissible Victim Impact Statements: Present v. absent) x 3 (Non-Statutory Mitigating Evidence: Social Value v. Troubled Life v. Both) x 2 (Comparative Value Argument: Life v. Worth) + 1 between-groups factorial design. Participants exposed to comparative worth arguments were more likely to vote for death than those exposed to comparative life arguments. In addition, participants were differentially influenced by comparative arguments. In …
The Influence Of Regret Proneness, Evidence Strengthening, And Perceived Responsibility On Verdict Preference, Stephanie L. Oglesby
The Influence Of Regret Proneness, Evidence Strengthening, And Perceived Responsibility On Verdict Preference, Stephanie L. Oglesby
Psychology Theses
In the present study, we investigated perceived responsibility, evidence strengthening, and defendant gender in the context of a criminal trial involving DNA. Evidence was introduced post-trial and varied as strengthening the defendant’s guilt v. innocence. We also examined perceptions of perceived responsibility for verdict in order to more closely evaluate the role of regret in decision-making. Results indicated that DNA evidence is perceived as reliable, regardless of whether it strengthened guilt or innocence. In addition, greater confidence in verdict was observed when evidence strengthened the guilt of a female defendant vs. a male defendant. Finally, jurors experiencing high levels of …
The Utility Of The Savry In Predicting Recidivism Among Juvenile Sex Offenders, Timothy Owens
The Utility Of The Savry In Predicting Recidivism Among Juvenile Sex Offenders, Timothy Owens
Psychology Theses
The identification of high-risk juvenile sex offenders has become one of the most controversial tasks of forensic mental health professionals today. Courts rely on clinician assessments when attempting to differentiate between youth who are low risk versus youth that are high risk to recidivate. The present study will examine the effectiveness of the Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth (SAVRY) in predicting sexual and nonsexual recidivism in a sample of juvenile sex offenders. Participants are 100 male juvenile sex offenders who were evaluated by a forensic evaluation service regarding their risk to reoffend. Archival case information, which contains forensic …
Examining Comparative Value Arguments, Capital Sentencing Evidence, And Legal Safeguards, Rachel Small
Examining Comparative Value Arguments, Capital Sentencing Evidence, And Legal Safeguards, Rachel Small
Psychology Theses
Comparative value arguments (CVA) suggest to jurors that a death sentence is appropriate because the victim’s value surpasses the defendant’s value. Jurors exposed to CVA are likely to misuse mitigation and victim impact evidence. The present study has a sample of 140 university students. A 2 x 4 + 1 between-groups factorial design was utilized to examine effects of mitigation and victim impact evidence in the context of CVA (held constant); and to test legal safeguard efficacy. A main effect was found of legal safeguards on jurors’ perceptions of prosecutorial misconduct, and a significant association was found between legal safeguards …
Understanding Perceptions Of Hypnotically Recovered Memories In A Civil Sexual Abuse Case, Samantha Fusco
Understanding Perceptions Of Hypnotically Recovered Memories In A Civil Sexual Abuse Case, Samantha Fusco
Psychology Theses
Perceptions of hypnosis and hypnotically recovered testimony were examined in a civil sexual abuse case. One hundred eighty-eight undergraduate students read one of eight trial transcript summaries varying expert witness testimony and victim testimony regarding the use of hypnosis in recovering a repressed memory of sexual abuse. We hypothesized that expert testimony would moderate the relation between victim testimony and perceptions of hypnotically recovered memory. In addition, we expected attitudes towards hypnotically refreshed memories would predict perceptions of the victim. Results found testimony elicited under hypnosis to be less accurate, less credible, and less believable than testimony not elicited from …
I Can Explain! Understanding Perceptions Of Eyewitnesses As A Function Of Type Of Explanation And Inconsistent Confidence Statements, Melissa Paiva
I Can Explain! Understanding Perceptions Of Eyewitnesses As A Function Of Type Of Explanation And Inconsistent Confidence Statements, Melissa Paiva
Psychology Theses
In the current study, 126 undergraduate students read a case summary describing an armed robbery of a convenience store, involving one eyewitness, and then viewed one of five brief videotapes of an eyewitness identification procedure. Confidence ratings were manipulated as 80% v. 100%: Type of explanation offered for changes in confidence consisted of social, memory-based or none. Results indicated increased perceptions of eyewitnesses were associated with confidence consistency, rather than type of explanation. Perhaps providing any explanation for changes in confidence drew attention to the inconsistency and magnified its effect on perceptions. Further, when the eyewitness provided one estimate of …
The Role Of Individual Differences In Explaining The Acceptability Of Prosecutorial Misconduct, Jillian Rowback
The Role Of Individual Differences In Explaining The Acceptability Of Prosecutorial Misconduct, Jillian Rowback
Psychology Theses
Empirical evidence demonstrates that the inclusion of improper statements by the prosecutor during closing argument increases death penalty recommendations (Platania & Moran, 1999). Judicial instructions to disregard improper statements have been found to moderate this effect (Platania, Small, Fusco, Miller & Perrault, 2008). The present study further explored the effectiveness of judicial instruction as a legal safeguard and examined the role of individual differences in explaining individuals’ acceptance of prosecutorial misconduct. One hundred and twenty four jury-eligible individuals viewed a videotape based on the penalty phase of a capital trial (Brooks v. State, 1979). Results revealed that attitudes toward the …
Psychopathy And Adolescent Females: Does Gender Alter The Relation Between Childhood Trauma And Pcl:Yv Scores?, Trevor Barese
Psychopathy And Adolescent Females: Does Gender Alter The Relation Between Childhood Trauma And Pcl:Yv Scores?, Trevor Barese
Psychology Theses
A growing rate of violence among adolescent females has led to an increased interest in gender differences associated with the assessment and development of psychopathy. This study utilized a sample of 100 youthful offenders, to examine the role of gender in the relation between various forms of childhood trauma and scores on the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV). Correlations were found between certain forms of childhood abuse and elevated PCL:YV scores. Furthermore, gender appeared to alter the predictive power of proposed developmental risk factors commonly associated with psychopathy. The findings indicate possible discrepancies in developmental risk factors between genders. Implications …
The Evidence And The Expert: Judgments Of Their Relative Importance In Confession Adjudication, Morgan S. Moffa
The Evidence And The Expert: Judgments Of Their Relative Importance In Confession Adjudication, Morgan S. Moffa
Psychology Theses
Forensic evidence is gaining prominence in both the media and in courts. As a result, the role of expert witness testimony in cases involving a disputed confession is unclear. The current study examined the effects of expert witness testimony, commonly-used interrogation tactics, and equivocal forensic evidence, on perceptions both the expert and the evidence. Results indicated perceptions of forensic evidence were a function of expert witness testimony, suggesting the influence of expert testimony on confessions is not limited to perceptions of the interrogation. In addition, evaluations of reliability and probative validity of forensic-type evidence indicated participants’ difficulty in distinguishing between …
The Confluence Of Psychopathic Traits, Violence, And Mental Health Needs In Adolescent Females: Theoretical And Treatment Implications, Nathan Cook
Psychology Theses
The relation among psychopathic traits, violence, and mental health needs was investigated in a sample of male and female juvenile offenders to test for the presence of gender differences. Demographic, offense, and mental health information was gathered from 100 youth offenders, 50 female and 50 male, committed to a state juvenile justice agency. Case file information was used to score the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version and additional archival data was used to code offense and mental health variables. Female and male juvenile offenders differed on PCL:YV scores as a function of proactive violence and mental health needs. The results are …