Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)

School

Psychology

Advisor

Wayne A. Wallace

Abstract

Proponents of the “CSI effect” argue that viewers of fictional crime drama television programs are inappropriately influenced and have heightened expectations for the presentation of forensic evidence during jury trials and therefore cause jurors to incorrectly weigh the importance of the evidence on the outcome of the trial. Television programs make measurable contributions to viewers’ perceptions of reality and cultivate the way people learn about the world. Cultivation theory suggests that the ability to use critical thinking is inhibited in discerning truth from glamorized portrayals of evidence collection, analyses, and the timeframe with which criminal investigation storylines are concluded. The impact of technology was examined as popular culture has evolved and advancements in technology are utilized more frequently. This quantitative survey study examined if any of four predictor variables: (a) crime drama viewing habits, (b) personal technological use, (c) attitudes about technology in society, and (d) perceptions of how technology is depicted in crime dramas, affected juror expectations for the presentation of evidence at trial. Multiple regression analyses were used and according to the study results, perceptions of how technology is depicted within crime dramas was significant in predicting juror expectations. The findings generalize to the people (defense attorneys, prosecuting attorneys, judges) invested in nonbiased jury outcomes and will contribute to the need for more meaningful voir dire processes to avoid and eliminate potential jurors with biased opinions and misguided expectations for how criminal cases are presented during trial. Findings may be used for positive social change in the ways attorneys can transform the voir dire process and eliminate juror expectations.

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