Deservingness, character and confirmation bias in legal decisions : The influence of perceived moral character and deservingness on confirmation bias in legal decision making

ISBN-13: 9783838321271 / Angielski / Miękka / 2010 / 76 str.

Phillip J. Tully

Opis

Research has shown that confirmation bias heuristics can lead to sub-optimal decisions and the preservation of rigid beliefs during social judgments. This study examines the influence of perceived deservingness and moral character on confirmation bias for evidence utilisation in a legal decision making context. Information was gathered regarding people s initial impressions of a defendant. Experimental manipulations varied the guilt level, and the moral character and deservingness characteristics of a defendant. The results showed that participants generally displayed an even-handed approach to evidence selection. There was limited support for the hypothesis that people would rate the deservingness consistent with the initial manipulation. The hypothesis that ratings of the defendants moral character would be rated in a consistent manner with the moral manipulation was supported. The implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

O autorze

Phillip J. Tully, Hons Psych, Adelaide University 2004. Current Position Flinders Medical Centre Dept Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery. Published papers in J Behav Med, J Psychosom Res, J Abnorm Child Psychol, Arch Clin Neuropsych, Ann Thorac Surg, J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesthesia, Clin Psychol, Epidemiol and Infect, Aus J Prim Health