The Effects of Interrogation Coerciveness and Ambiguity of Guilt on Juror Judgments of Confession Credibility

26 Pages Posted: 30 Jul 2009

See all articles by Netta Shaked-Schroer

Netta Shaked-Schroer

Claremont Colleges - Claremont Graduate University

Mark Costanzo

Claremont McKenna College

Dale Berger

Claremont Colleges - Claremont Graduate University

Date Written: July 30, 2009

Abstract

We examined the influence of interrogation techniques (coercive or not coercive) and certainty of guilt (known or ambiguous) on mock jurors’ verdicts and ratings of an interrogation. Participants read attorney arguments, watched a realistic videotaped interrogation that included a confession, indicated their verdict, and answered a series of questions about the credibility of the confession and about the influence of evidence on their judgments. Results indicated that the interrogation was rated as fairer and less coercive when guilt was known than when guilt was ambiguous. In addition, participants rendered more 'not guilty' verdicts when the interrogation was coercive than when it was not coercive. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Keywords: False Confessions, Interrogations, Jury Decision-Making

JEL Classification: K40, K49, K14

Suggested Citation

Shaked-Schroer, Netta and Costanzo, Mark and Berger, Dale, The Effects of Interrogation Coerciveness and Ambiguity of Guilt on Juror Judgments of Confession Credibility (July 30, 2009). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1441063 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1441063

Netta Shaked-Schroer (Contact Author)

Claremont Colleges - Claremont Graduate University ( email )

150 E. Tenth Street
Claremont, CA 91711
United States

Mark Costanzo

Claremont McKenna College ( email )

500 E. Ninth Street
Claremont, CA 91711
United States

Dale Berger

Claremont Colleges - Claremont Graduate University ( email )

150 E. Tenth Street
Claremont, CA 91711
United States

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