Battered women who kill: the impact of expert testimony and empathy induction in the courtroom.
Mock jurors (N = 312) viewed a simulated trial involving a woman, charged with the murder of her abusive husband, entering a plea of not guilty by reason of self-defense. Expert testimony was varied using battered woman syndrome, social agency framework, or no expert testimony. Within expert testimony conditions, jurors were presented with opening and closing statements either including or not including instructions aimed at inducing empathy. Results indicate differences in gender and expert testimony for ratings of guilt as well as differences in gender, expert testimony, and empathy induction for perceptions of the defendant.
Plumm
Karyn M
KM
Department of Psychology, University of North Dakota, USA.
Terrance
Cheryl A
CA
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D018585:Battered Women / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology; D003416:Criminal Law / Q000379:methods*; D004645:Empathy; D005104:Expert Testimony / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006708:Homicide / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires