Guilty by Reason of Vanity?: The Relationship Between Jurors’ Socioeconomic Status and Trial Outcome
Student Type
Undergraduate
Faculty Sponsor
Dr. Michiko Nohara-LeClair
Date
4-12-2022
College Affiliation
College of Science, Technology, and Health
Department
Department of Psychology, Sociology, and Public Health
Submission Type
Poster
Abstract
The present study investigated the relationship between a juror’s socioeconomic status (SES) and the likelihood that they would convict a defendant. I hypothesized that a participant of a higher SES would be more likely to convict a defendant than would a participant of a lower SES. To investigate the validity of this hypothesis, participants posing as jurors completed an online survey in which they were tasked with evaluating the details of five different court cases void of any identifiable and/or demographic information about the defendant (and victim(s), if applicable) and submitting their final verdict on the case (guilty or not guilty). The preliminary results of this study along with their implications will be discussed.
Recommended Citation
Sweaney, Zoe, "Guilty by Reason of Vanity?: The Relationship Between Jurors’ Socioeconomic Status and Trial Outcome" (2022). 2022 Student Academic Showcase. 5.
https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/src/Posters/Session2/5
Publication Date
2022
Included in
Guilty by Reason of Vanity?: The Relationship Between Jurors’ Socioeconomic Status and Trial Outcome
The present study investigated the relationship between a juror’s socioeconomic status (SES) and the likelihood that they would convict a defendant. I hypothesized that a participant of a higher SES would be more likely to convict a defendant than would a participant of a lower SES. To investigate the validity of this hypothesis, participants posing as jurors completed an online survey in which they were tasked with evaluating the details of five different court cases void of any identifiable and/or demographic information about the defendant (and victim(s), if applicable) and submitting their final verdict on the case (guilty or not guilty). The preliminary results of this study along with their implications will be discussed.