Date of Award
Winter 12-2022
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department/Program
Forensic Psychology
Language
English
First Advisor or Mentor
Charles B. Stone
Second Reader
Mark Fondacaro
Third Advisor
Kelly McWilliams
Abstract
The present research explores whether inducing empathy in death-qualified mock jurors leads to fewer death sentences in a penalty phase trial. Previous research has shown that inducing empathy in jurors leads to lesser sentences and perceived responsibility of the perpetrator for the crime. However, none of this research has examined death penalty cases, and most have focused on instances where the victim was also the perpetrator of a separate crime against the defendant (e.g., abuse). Extending this line of research, the present study examines whether these results extend to instances where the perpetrator and victim are strangers. Additionally, considering the influence certain impairments may have on the perpetrator's competence, the study also explores instances where the perpetrator exhibits evidence of mental illness, brain damage, or experience of sexual abuse. To examine this, participants were presented with a trial transcript and half of these participants were shown an empathy-inducing prompt. After providing a sentence of life in prison without parole (LWOP) or death, mock jurors’ level of empathy and the responsibility they placed on the defendant for the crime were measured. Results indicated that empathy induction did not influence empathy level nor verdict. However, predictors of verdict included confidence of the mock juror as well as the total responsibility they placed on the defendant.
Recommended Citation
Zuraw, Klaudia, "Inducing Empathy in Jurors in a Capital Penalty Phase Trial: An Examination of how to Reduce Jurors' Death Sentence Decisions" (2022). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/jj_etds/256