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Asymmetries in prior conviction reasoning: truth suppression effects in child protection contexts

Cowley-Cunningham, Michelle orcid logoORCID: 0000-0002-1997-6009 and Colyer, Juliette (2010) Asymmetries in prior conviction reasoning: truth suppression effects in child protection contexts. Psychology, Crime & Law, 16 (3). pp. 211-231. ISSN 1068-316X

Abstract
In three empirical studies we examined how people reason about prior convictions in child abuse cases. We tested whether the disclosure of similar prior convictions prompts a mental representation or an additive probative value (Criminal Justice Act, 2003). Asymmetrical use of similar priors were observed in three studies. A pilot study showed that disclosure of a second prior did not contribute a weight equivalent to that of the first disclosure. Study 1 showed jurors did not see lefthanded evidence (i.e. matching victim bruising) as more indicative of guilt than right-handedness unless a prior conviction was present, and the presence of priors suppressed the generation of alternative possibilities indicative of innocence. Study 2 showed that disclosure did not decrease community ratings of reoffending propensity and dangerousness as much as a similar prior conviction increased them. We consider the results in the context of a new psychological theory of prior conviction bias and the consequences for the implementation of Section 100 of the Criminal Justice Act (2003).
Metadata
Item Type:Article (Published)
Refereed:Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords:similar prior convictions; mental representation; additive probative value; Criminal Justice Act (2003); truth suppression
Subjects:Medical Sciences > Psychology
Social Sciences > Law
DCU Faculties and Centres:DCU Faculties and Schools > DCU Business School
Publisher:Routledge (Taylor & Francis)
Official URL:https://doi.org/10.1080/10683160802612916
Copyright Information:© 2010 Taylor & Francis
Funders:University of Southampton Small Grant Scheme, University of Oxford Katzenbach Fellowship funded by the Americans for Oxford
ID Code:29593
Deposited On:19 Feb 2024 10:35 by Michelle Cowley-Cunningham . Last Modified 19 Feb 2024 10:35
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