Date of Conferral

6-17-2024

Date of Award

June 2024

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Julie Lindahl

Abstract

Sexual violence is a societal epidemic and disproportionally affects disabled women. Disabled women belong to an intersectional identity that also experiences more negative attitudes, stigma, stereotypes, and discrimination than nondisabled individuals. In sexual assault cases, juror biases may translate into more detrimental attitudes toward disabled victims. The purpose of this study was to examine how these attitudes may impact outcomes in sexual assault trials when comparing disabled and nondisabled female victims. This study was conducted through the lens of just-world theory and feminist disability theory using a quantitative, experimental jury simulation design. The 304 participants in an online survey designed to simulate the voir dire and trial process. Participants reviewed a fictional vignette depicting a sexual assault case at trial, with half the participants receiving a vignette involving a disabled victim and the other half receiving a vignette involving a nondisabled victim. After reviewing the vignette, participants were given juror instructions, completed attitudinal scales to measure relevant schemas, and were then asked to determine a verdict for the case. Analysis included binomial logistic regression, Hotelling’s T-squared analysis, and descriptive statistics. Results from this study revealed that disability status may account for differences in juror judgments in sexual violence cases, victim disability status may not account for differences in juror preconceptions, and these perceptions may be predictors of juror judgments. The results of this study have the potential to positively impact social change by contributing to knowledge, educational programs, and policies in the justice system about juror biases and their possible effects.

Download

Included in

Psychology Commons

Share

 
COinS