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Description: The CSI effect is a phenomenon proposed by the media and attorneys in which crime show viewing is thought to affect jurors' trial decisions. This study examined whether jurors' crime show and television viewing habits interact with the amount of forensic evidence available at trial to affect verdict and other trial decisions. Jurors who reported for jury duty at a southern courthouse were randomly assigned to read a trial vignette containing either no, low, or high levels of forensic evidence. Jurors rendered a verdict, rated the evidence and described their crime show viewing behavior. Results indicated an interaction between level of forensic evidence and crime show viewing in that those who watched crime shows were more likely to favor the defense than those who did not in some evidence conditions. Explanations of these results are discussed with directions for future research.
Suggested Citation:
Hayes-Smith, R.M. & Levett, L.M. (2011). Jury's still out: How television and crime
show viewing influences jurors' evaluations of evidence. [Electronic Version]. Applied Psychology in Criminal Justice,
7(1), 29-46.
Keywords: CSI Effect, Cultivation theory, juror decision making, and experiment
Date: Oct 06, 2011 | File Size: 407.6 Kb | Downloads: 2812