Reaching a verdict Witness Appeal

Reaching a Verdict Persuading a Jury Effect of order Pennington & Hastie Expert Witness Loftus Inadmissible Evidence Pickle Witness Appeal Attractiveness Castellow/Dion Theory Witness Confidence Penrod & Cutler Shields and videotaping Ross Reaching a Verdict Decision making Hastie Majority Influence Asch Minority Influence Nemeth

Witness Appeal Attractiveness of the defendant Dion et al, hypothesised that physically attractive people are assumed to have other attractive properties. (Implicit Personality Theory) This is known as the ‘Halo Effect’ as described by Asch (1946), where a positive halo of pleasant characteristics is imagined when one favourable characteristic is known about an individual. Therefore what effect on the defendant do you think this will this have in the courtroom? Efran (1974) found good looking criminals received lighter sentences or penalties UNLESS their looks were involved in the crime e.g. toy boys conning rich old ladies. This is why a defendant is advised to turn up smartly dressed, clean and tidy for their day in court, appearances do matter.

Evaluation of Castellow et al’s study Demand characteristics: Sample: Method: Lab Experiment:

Evaluation of Castellow et al’s study Self-reports: Ethics: Application:

June 2010 Describe how attractiveness of a defendant can influence courtroom behaviour. (10)

Witness Appeal Witness Confidence Giving evidence in Court is a nerve-racking experience and it would be completely understandable for witnesses to appear nervous and hesitate when answering questions. However, jurors may perceive this nervousness as evidence of being unsure or even worse lying. When a witness appears confidence, jury’s tend to have more confidence in what they hear.

Evaluation of Penrod & Cutler’s study Method: Sample: Reliability: Application:

Exam Question June 2013 Describe research into the effect of witness confidence in the courtroom. (10)

Witness Appeal Effect of shields and videotape on children giving evidence In many cases involving sexual abuse, kidnapping or domestic violence a child is the only victim. The courtroom procedures can be very stressful & traumatic for children. Sometimes children are allowed to give evidence from behind a screen or via a video link to reduce this stress. However, many defence counsels have argued that this is prejudicial to the defendant as it may appear to the jury that the child is in need of protection, suggesting that the defendant is indeed guilty.

Evaluation of Ross et al’s study Independent groups design: Experiment:

Ethics: Sample: Difference between males and females in 1 st experiment: 2 nd experiment: If trial stopped there are differences between conditions – implications?

January 2012 Describe research into the effect of shields and videotape on children giving evidence. (10)

Evaluation June 2010 Evaluate the methodology used in witness appeal. (15) Jan 2012 Discuss difficulties which may be encountered when researching witness appeal. (15) June 2013 Assess the usefulness of research into witness appeal in the courtroom. (15)