Implicit Bias and Juror Comprehension

Katherine DeLucia

Co-Presenters: Individual Presentation

College: College of Liberal Arts

Major: Forensic Psychology (M.A.)

Faculty Research Mentor: Christine Doyle

Abstract:

Implicit bias is an internalized bias one may have against others who are unlike them in some capacity i.e. race, sexuality, religion, politics, etc. Implicit bias is often unseen and not understood by the layperson and some judges. While it's easy to claim that someone feels as though they do not have any, it is impossible to go through life without inherent judgment. Implicit bias affects day to day life, especially so in the courtroom. Bringing awareness to this innate trait of sorts is exactly how to treat implicit bias. This study sought out to understand any difference between receiving these instructions versus not in a fabricated case of fraud in the state of New Jersey. A combination of statistical tests were performed to analyze the hypothesis that implicit bias instructions would produce fairer results. There was no statistical difference, x2(1, N=62)=.359, p=ns via a Chi-Square. Juror comprehension is still integral to each court case, and past studies as well as this one don’t implicate that this is a strong and consistent area. Further research ideas were discussed in considering the methodology of this study, as well as the very focus of it.