Indigenous Victims with Mental Illness: The Influence of Stereotypes and Stigma on Mock-Juror Perceptions

This study examined jurors’ perceptions of victim race and mental illness as a function of defendant race in a mock-juror decision-making context. Victim race (Indigenous vs. White) and Mental Illness (substance abuse vs. schizophrenia vs. no mental illness) along with officer’s race (Indigenous vs. White) were manipulated in a mock-trial transcript. Participants (N = 320) were recruited from psychology courses. Contrary to the hypotheses, Indigenous victims and defendants were perceived more positively than White victims or defendants. In line with the hypotheses, victims with substance use disorder and schizophrenia were perceived as less credible than victims with no mental illness. Defendants were less likely to be convicted when the victim was Indigenous with a mental illness. This research contributes to the understanding of juror bias against marginalized communities and can be used to inform policies in the Criminal Justice System towards promoting more just practices.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor dc:publisher

Carleton University

Year dc:date.issued

2023

Author dc:creator

• Stone, Anna

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright © 2023 the author(s). Theses may be used for non-commercial research, educational, or related academic purposes only. Such uses include personal study, distribution to students, research and scholarship. Theses may only be shared by linking to the Carleton University Institutional Repository and no part may be copied without proper attribution to the author; no part may be used for commercial purposes directly or indirectly via a for-profit platform; no adaptation or derivative works are permitted without consent from the copyright owner.

Language dc:language.iso

en

DOI

10.22215/etd/2023-15842

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:carleton.scholaris.ca:20.500.14718/41756