Mock Juror Understanding of Complex Testimony: the Flynn Effect in Atkins Cases

In 2002, the Supreme Court ruled that individuals with intellectual disability (ID) could not be sentenced to death (Atkins vs. Virginia). Since this decision, triers-of-fact have been making determinations as to whether a defendant meets the diagnostic criteria for ID. The current study evaluated whether an expert witness' credentials and the complexity of their testimony would influence mock jurors' diagnostic determinations. Undergraduate students were exposed to testimony on the Flynn effect (a statistical phenomenon relevant to IQ scores and ID determinations) that varied in complexity. Credentials of the testifying defense expert witness were also manipulated. There was no significant effect of complexity level of the testimony, though scores on a post-hearing comprehension test suggested participants overall struggled to understand the Flynn effect. Testimony from a defense expert with more prestigious credentials was more persuasive, with participants being more likely to agree that the claimant meets diagnostic criteria for ID. In addition, participants' need for cognition (NFC) and other related attitudes were measured. Participants higher in NFC were more likely to scrutinize application of the Flynn effect and determine the claimant did not meet criteria for ID. Implications of these findings for legal actors in Atkins cases and future directions for researchers are discussed.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Alabama Libraries

Year dc:date.issued

2022

Author dc:creator

• Doran, Stephanie Chambers

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Salekin, Karen

Contributors dc:contributor

• Cox, Jennifer
• Gilpin, Ansley
• Hart, William
• Almond, Brad

• dual processing
• Flynn effect
• intellectual disability
• mock juror
• need for cognition

Statement dc:rights

• All rights reserved by the author unless otherwise indicated.

Language dc:language.iso

en_US, English

Dc Identifier Other

http://purl.lib.ua.edu/186527
u0015_0000001_0004486
Doran_alatus_0004D_14985

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ir.ua.edu:123456789/9513