Racial issues and jury decisions: A study of aversive racism
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Date
1998
Department
Psychology
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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to ascertain if Caucasians jurors can be influenced by the
perceived presence of African Americans jurors, in regards to court proceedings. The main
objective was to determine whether racism is prevalent in an aversive form injury decision making
among Caucasians. Aversive racism occurs when Caucasians publicly express equality
for all people, but possess negative feelings and values toward African Americans. The study
involved a mock jury simulation case and attempted to determine whether the majority race of
the jury or the race of the defense lawyer influence Caucasian jurors' decisions about guilt or
innocence of an African American defendant. The White Racial Identity Attitudes Scale
(Carter, 1990), and the New Racism Scale (Jacobson, 1985) were used to assess racial attitudes.
The results indicated that Caucasian participants found the defendant not guilty, and viewed the
defendant in a positive and non-racial way. Correlational analyses of the racial attitudes scales
paralleled flndings of Carter (1990). Specifically, more female participants hold less racial
beliefs, and endorsed racial equality and understanding more than male participants.