Criminal Psychology- Dixon Flashcards
What was the aim of Dixons study?
Set out to test if a Brummie accented suspect would have strong attributions of guilt than a standard accented suspect
They also tested whether the race of the suspect and type of crime would influence this effect
What was the sample used in Dixons study?
119 white undergraduate psychology students
What was the design used in Dixon’s study?
Once they had listened to recordings- pp completed 2 sets of rating scales:
1- rate suspects guilt on a scale 1-7
2- using speech evaluation instrument (superiority, attractiveness, dynamism)
What we’re the results found in Dixon’s study?
Statistical analysis revealed significant differences only on superiority- this showed that the Brummie suspect was rated lower on superiority than a standard accent suspect.
Brummie accent was rated more guilty.
The Brummie/ black/ blue-collar had the highest guilt ratings.
Maybe Brummie are perceived as more guilty because their speech is less confident= untrustworthy.
What we’re the applications of Dixon’s study in inadmissible evidence?
The jury are instructed to disregard what they have heard. Study by Broeder (1959) - mock jury, lab exp, uni of Chicago law school. When said had liability insurance $4000 more than when said had no insurance.
If judge ruled it inadmissible: then average award increased to $46000 from $33000
What we’re the applications of Dixon’s study for fMRI scans as evidence?
In a study by Weisberg (2008)- 330 students at Colorado state uni read a short account of a criminal trial. Eg activation of frontal brain areas when defendant denied killing his wife. Participants who read the fMRI version were more likely to say defendant is guilty.
This suggests MRI evidence is more influential than other types of evidence.
What are applications of Dixon’s study?
CSI effect
Inadmissible evidence
fMRI scanning
What is the ecological validity of Dixon’s study?
Not permitted to observe decision making processes of real jurors= decrease realism
Listening to short extract of a fake interview lacks ecological validity
What was the sample used in Dixon’s study?
Opportunity sampling
Bit representative
Excluded Birmingham pps
What we’re the ethics in Dixon’s study?
Possible that pps in any mock jury might be distressed, altho unlikely as no graphic details.
No info on right to withdraw.
Stewart- observations of courtroom- invade a persons privacy.
What we’re socially sensitive issues in Dixon’s study?
People from Birmingham feel reading the results. Races. Negative stereotypes.
What is the usefulness of research in Dixon’s study?
As a defendant- make effort to appear neat, clean and well dressed.
Speak clearly and avoid hesitations.
Could be used to inform jurors of pitfalls to prevent being swayed by accent
Trials could be conducted in ways so jury cannot see defendant (screen)
What is the ethnocentrism in Dixon’s study?
Reminder not to apply results to generalise out of population
