The effects of expert witness testimony on juror verdict: psychiatry versus psychology

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of expert witness testimony on juror verdicts. We, further, assessed whether there would be a difference in the relative influence of MDs and PhD expert witnesses. Undergraduate and graduate students served as mock jurors and were presented with an insanity case which either (a) a PhD testified for the defense and a MD testified for the prosecution or (b) an MD testified for the defense and a PhD testified for the prosecution. After analysis of verdicts, an Insanity Defense Attitudes Survey, and specific witness credibility evaluations indicated no bias toward MD's, except for the PhD-defense/MD-prosecution condition. Implications for other case factors that combine to affect jurors' verdicts are discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A. Applied Psychology and Professional Mental Health Counseling

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year dc:date.available

2011

Author dc:creator

• Gandy-Smith, La Shonine

Contributors dc:contributor

• Gaer, Eleanor

• Evidence, Expert; Verdicts
• Psychiatric and Mental Health

Repository record dc:identifier

https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/48

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:rdw.rowan.edu:etd-1047