Date of Conferral

1-8-2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Susan Marcus

Abstract

Recent large-scale studies and reviews have revealed inconsistent findings regarding the role of evaluator characteristics, bias, and characteristics of juveniles in judging competency to stand trial as adults in juvenile cases using Dusky standards. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of psychological evaluators’ education and experience, cognitive bias, and race of juveniles on decisions involving competency to stand trial. The attribution theory was used as the theoretical framework to explain how internal years of education and experience as well as beliefs about bias can influence decision-making. Data were collected from 84 forensic and clinical professionals and included demographics, beliefs about cognitive bias, race (Black/White), motivation to control bias, and competence (yes/no). While there was not sufficient data to rigorously test hypotheses, preliminary results revealed participants who completed questionnaires were older, more experienced, educated, and licensed. Further, a MANOVA was computed to explore whether there were differences in these variables in their choice to judge competency. The choice to judge juveniles as competent to stand trial as adults was influenced by participant age and experience. These results may contribute to positive social change through understanding evaluator expertise and biases in terms of making life-changing decisions for arrested juveniles, so they are judged commensurate with their legal rights, intellectual and emotional competency, and culpability.

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