Trivial Similarity-Based Biases and Efforts to Avoid Bias in Courtroom Judgments
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Date
2021-05
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
Previous research on jury trials has focused mainly on the effects of group similarities (the similarity-leniency hypothesis; Kerr et al., 1995) and ways to combat those biases to ensure fair deliberation. Previous research on the effects of trivial similarities shows increased liking and compliance towards individuals who share similarities, but the similarity can also lead to participants distancing themselves from the individual if they display negative characteristics (i.e., being rude). The current study investigated the effects of shared trivial similarities between juror and defendant and possible ways to reduce or possibly eliminate these effects using bias correction. The main hypothesis was that trivial similarities between juror and defendant influence the juror's ratings of the defendant, and when asked to correct, jurors will do so. For the design of the study, a single-session study was utilized where participants were randomly selected to either see a similar or non-similar defendant and provide ratings of guilt, fault, and responsibility. The bias correction instructions immediately followed the initial decisions in the same sitting and theories of bias were measured as a possible predictor of the shift in ratings from pre-to-post-correction instructions. Participants were 150 undergraduate psychology students at The Ohio State University who were participating for credit ranging from ages 18 to 37. The effects of similarity, correction instructions, and the interaction between the two all failed to reach significance. Theories of bias also did not significantly interact with condition to impact difference in perceptions but were trending in the direction I predicted. Specifically, post-correction guilt ratings were higher for participants who were in the similar condition which is trending in the expected direction. While there were limitations to this study including the possibility of the similarities being too subtle, if significant results were found, there would be implications for jury instructions in the courtroom and jury selection.
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Keywords
Jury Bias, Psychology, Trivial Similarities, Social Psychology, Courtroom