Aim?
To investigate the effects of regional accent, race, and crime type on attributions of guilt.
Sample?
The 119 participants were all psychology students from the University of Worcester, with a mean age of 25.years.
Method?
- Lab experiment with factorial design
- IV - Accent (Birmingham/standard), Race, and type of crime (armed robbery/cheque fraud)
- DV - participants attributions of guilt
Procedure?
The participants listened to a 2-minute recorded transcript (based on a real case) and were asked to rate the suspect’s level of guilt from ‘innocent’ to ‘guilty’, measured on a 7-point rating scale. In all conditions, the conversation was between a middle-aged male police inspector and a young male suspect.
Results?
The Brummie accent was rated as more guilty than other suspects.
There was also an interaction between Brummie accent/black suspect/blue collar worker, with significantly higher guilt findings for this combination of variables.
Conclusions?
A range of psychological factors can influence perception of a suspect’s guilt including accent, race and type of crime
How can Dixon be used to improve the court system?
- External factors impact jurors verdict - advise defendants
- accent - have someone else read out statement
Ethical considerations?
+ confidentiality
- right to withdraw
+ Informed consent
- Social sensitivity/psychological harm
How can it be applied to improving jury decision-making?
- Hide victim
- Have someone else read statement
- Advise defendants