Judicial Instructions and the Juror’s Ability to Disregard Inadmissible Evidence: Can Varying the Timing and Content of Judicial Instructions Influence Juror Decision-Making?

Author

Courtney Hougham, Graduate Center, City University of New YorkFollow

Date of Degree

2011

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Program

Criminal Justice

Advisor

Maureen O’Connor

Committee Members

Steven Penrod

Saul Kassin

Subject Categories

Criminology and Criminal Justice

Abstract

During the course of a trial, a judge will instruct the jury on how they are to act and reach decisions. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of different judicial instructions on a juror's ability to evaluate testimony. The research looked at how instructions can interact with a juror's ability to disregard a piece of evidence ruled inadmissible for different reasons. The design was a 3x5 complete factorial design. The stimulus material was a murder trial summary with weak evidence against the defendant, with the key piece of testimony being a hair found on the victim that matches the defendant. This evidence was objected to and admitted or not admitted into evidence depending on the condition. The hypotheses test how a juror's decision-making process is influenced by a combination of judicial instructions, including one designed to raise suspicion, the ruling - admitted or not admitted, and the reason behind the ruling.

Comments

Digital reproduction from the UMI microform.

Recommended Citation

Hougham, Courtney, "Judicial Instructions and the Juror’s Ability to Disregard Inadmissible Evidence: Can Varying the Timing and Content of Judicial Instructions Influence Juror Decision-Making?" (2011). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/1804