Recent developments in the neuropsychology of criminal behavior have given rise to concerns that neuroimaging evidence (such as MRI and functional [fMRI] images) could unduly influence jurors. Across four experiments, a nationally representative sample 1,476 jury-eligible participants evaluated written summaries cases which expert testimony was presented support mental disorder exculpatory. The varied extent it neuroscientific explanations neuroimages expert’s conclusion. Despite suggestive...

The introduction of neuroscientific evidence in criminal trials has given rise to fears that neuroimagery presented by an expert witness might inordinately influence jurors' evaluations the defendant. In this experiment, a diverse sample 1,170 community members from throughout U.S. evaluated written mock trial which psychological, neuropsychological, neuroscientific, and neuroimage‐based was support not guilty reason insanity (NGRI) defense. No independent found. Overall, neuroscience‐based...

Although recent research has found that neurological expert testimony is more persuasive than other kinds of and nonexpert evidence, no impact been for neuroimages beyond evidence sans images. Those findings hold true in the context a mens rea defense various forms insanity defenses. The present studies test whether afford heightened penalty phase capital murder trials. Two mock jury experiments ( n = 825 882) were conducted online using nationally representative samples persons who eligible...

Emotion expression is a key part of trial advocacy. Attorneys are advised to gain credibility with juries by demonstrating conviction through anger expression. In 3 experiments, we tested whether expressing in court makes attorneys more effective and this depends on their gender. We randomly assigned participants (n = 120 undergraduates) view male or female attorney presenting the same closing argument either neutral angry tone (Experiment 1). They reported impressions how likely they would...

Forensic feature-comparison examiners compare-or "match"-evidence samples (e.g., fingerprints) to provide judgments about the source of evidence. Research demonstrates that in select disciplines possess expertise this task by outperforming novices-yet psychological mechanisms underpinning are unclear. This article investigates one implicated mechanism: statistical learning, ability learn how often things occur environment. is likely important forensic decision-making as sharing rarer...

The online encyclopedia Wikipedia is a frequently referred- to source of information for Internet users. A series 3 studies examined Wikipedia's coverage psychology-related concepts, how accessible psychology content when using search engines, and described both first-year senior undergraduates use Wikipedia. results demonstrated that psychological topics was comprehensive prominently displayed on the major engines. In addition, majority undergraduate students reported referring personal...

In a pair of mock-trial studies possible “gatekeeper” effect, our participants were presented with summary trial that included piece expert scientific evidence. The judge’s decision was manipulated to admit the evidence, as well quality evidence and credibility expert. Participants found be less critical more persuaded by when it within trial, compared same outside courtroom context. These findings suggest that, judges allow testimony reach jury although is low quality, they imbue undeserved...

Both academic and legal communities have cautioned that laypersons may be unduly persuaded by images of the brain fail to interpret them appropriately. While early studies confirmed this concern, a second wave research was repeatedly unable find evidence such bias. The newest paints more nuanced picture in which, under certain circumstances, neuroimage bias reemerges. To help make sense discordant body research, we highlight contextual significance understanding how laypersons’ decision...

Abstract Forensic science practitioners compare visual evidence samples (e.g. fingerprints) and decide if they originate from the same person or different people (i.e. fingerprint ‘matching’). These tasks are perceptually cognitively complex—even practising professionals can make errors—and what limited research exists suggests that existing professional training is ineffective. This paper presents three experiments demonstrate benefit of perceptual derived mathematical theories suggest...

Several highly-cited experiments have presented evidence suggesting that neuroimages may unduly bias laypeople's judgments of scientific research. This finding has been especially worrisome to the legal community in which neuroimage techniques be used produce a person's mental state. However, more recent body work looked directly at independent impact on layperson decision-making (both and general arenas), failed find bias. To help resolve these conflicting findings, this research uses eye...

Although most Americans support capital punishment, many people have misconceptions about its efficacy and administration (e.g., that punishment deters crime). Can correcting people’s inaccurate attitudes change their for the death penalty? If not, are there other strategies might shift Some research suggests statistical information can correct polarizing topics. Still, statistics be irrelevant some because they may purely retributive reasons, suggesting argumentative more effective. In...

It is difficult to "prove" pain and suffering-particularly emotional suffering. Neuroimaging technology might bolster claims in civil cases by making seem less subjective. We examined how neuroimaging of physical influences judgments suffering across nonlegal legal contexts.We hypothesized that participants would rate assessed using as more severe award higher compensation than self-report measures. also (vs. emotional) severe, except when the claim was bolstered a assessment.In two...

In this paper, we present findings from two experiments that measure individuals’ reactions to rule of law violations by an authority figure, with the goal assessing which interpretation is naturally invoked. We created a variety hypothetical scenarios allowed us gauge independent effects adherence, outcome fairness, and violator’s intentions on participants’ judgments violation. found adherence legitimate rules was considered desirable when those worked produce fair outcome. But following...

The impact of forensic science evidence on jurors’ judgments is critically important to the criminal justice system. assignment low or high weight such testimony can be difference between acquittal conviction. Many traditional sciences (e.g., fingerprints and bitemarks) draw their strength largely from subjective examiners who testify about whether evidentiary prints other markings are consistent with (or “match”) known a person object. In an online experiment (Experiment 1) realistic jury...