Understanding the effect of witness demeanour and testimonial inconsistencies on juror judgements.

This item is only available electronically.Objective: The present study aimed at understanding the effect of witness demeanour and testimonial inconsistencies on jurors’ assessment of probability of guilt. Method: It explored the hypothesis that extreme emotions, as depicted in witness demeanour, along with its interaction with the inconsistencies in testimony will affect the judgement of probability of guilt. A sample of one hundred and twenty-seven participants were recruited using snowball sampling technique, flyers and the online Research Participation System. The process of juror judgement was assessed using a brief audio recording of a criminal trial. Design: The study followed a 2 (witness demeanour) x 2 (testimonial inconsistencies) between group experimental design. The independent variables were witness demeanour and testimonial inconsistencies. Witness demeanour was manipulated using presentation of evidence that showed variations in paralinguistic cues such as pitch and tone. Testimonial inconsistencies were engineered to include certain contradictions or incorrect information to the trial. The probability of guilt judgements was assessed by using a questionnaire. Results: The demeanour of the witness had a significant effect on the juror’s assessment of the defendant’s probability of guilt. Testimonial inconsistencies and their interactions with witness demeanour however yielded no significant effects on probability of guilt. Conclusions: These findings imply that even within legal proceedings, when jurors have been instructed to consider only relevant facts certain abstractions permeate through affecting their judgement. The results of this study can aid us in understanding how extralegal factors operate within a jury setting. Keywords: Juror judgement, witness demeanour, testimonial inconsistencies.Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 201