DISCUSSION 3

The 'CSI effect' in an actual juror sample: Why crime show genre may matter.

Authors:

Mancini, Dante E., Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA, US, [email protected] 

Address:

Mancini, Dante E., Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Department of Psychology, Uhler Hall 302, 1020 Oakland Avenue, Indiana, PA, US, 15705, [email protected] 

Source:

North American Journal of Psychology, Vol 15(3), Dec, 2013. pp. 543-564.

Page Count:

22

Publisher:

US : North American Journal Of Psychology

ISSN:

1527-7143 (Print)

Language:

English

Keywords:

CSI effect, jurors, crime show genre, forensic television programs, verdicts, juries, juror decision-making

Abstract:

Highly limited empirical research has supported the existence of the “CSI effect,” defined as the influence of heavy forensic television program viewership on perceptions of scientific evidence and juror decision-making. Recently, cultivation theory has been proposed as a potential explanation of any television viewing influence, but virtually no prior studies have distinguished crime show sub-genres (fiction and documentary-style) in viewership measures. The current study investigated whether a difference score measure of fiction-todocumentary forensic television program viewership was related to juror decision-making. Participants were 79 actual jurors who viewed a video recorded summary of a real murder trial, then completed measures of forensic television viewership and perceived realism, verdict preferences, verdict reasons, and perceptions of the presented evidence. Viewership predicted verdict preference as hypothesized, with heavier fiction viewers rendering more acquittals compared to lighter viewers. However, heavier fiction viewers were no more likely to mention DNA evidence as a verdict reason or report a greater preference for either the prosecution’s or defense’s evidence. These findings suggest that relative sub-genre viewership may be important in establishing empirical support of the CSI effect. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved) (journal abstract)

Subjects:

*Adjudication; *Juries; *Legal Evidence; *Television; Crime; Forensic Evaluation; Preferences

PsycINFO Classification:

Criminal Law & Adjudication (4230) Mass Media Communications (2750)

Population:

Human Male Female

Location:

US

Age Group:

Adulthood (18 yrs & older)

Tests & Measures:

Verdict Questionnaire Forensic Television Viewing Habits Questionnaire

Grant Sponsorship:

Sponsor: Saint Vincent College, Faculty Development Committee, US Recipients: No recipient indicated

Methodology:

Empirical Study; Quantitative Study

Format Covered:

Print

Publication Type:

Journal; Peer Reviewed Journal

Document Type:

Journal Article

Release Date:

20140630

Copyright:

NAJP.

Accession Number:

2014-14660-011

Number of Citations in Source:

60

Database:

PsycINFO