Document Type
Thesis
Date of Degree Completion
Spring 2020
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Psychology
Committee Chair
Danielle Polage
Second Committee Member
R. Schaffer Claridge
Abstract
The recent increase in number of crime drama television shows raises the issue that these fictional portrayals may impact real proceedings in the justice system. This phenomenon has become known as the CSI effect. This includes the concept of authority bias, by which laypeople place higher value on information provided by those that they perceive to be in positions of authority. 289 college students completed a survey comparing their likelihood to match an unknown fingerprint to a suspect’s, after actors portraying evidence technicians either confirm the match or provide no conclusion. Results showed no significant interaction between the confirmation condition and participants’ likelihood to say that the fingerprints matched.
Recommended Citation
Scruggs, Meredith, "Impact of the CSI Effect and Authority Bias on Juror Decisions" (2020). Undergraduate Honors Theses. 24.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/undergrad_hontheses/24
Included in
Clinical Psychology Commons, Criminology and Criminal Justice Commons, Experimental Analysis of Behavior Commons, Other Psychology Commons