Sex Prejudice Injury Simulation

Abstract

This study of 84 male and 101 female college students tested the hypothesis that male and female Ss respond differentially to male and female defendants in a criminal jury trial. Ss read a synopsis of a murder trial in which the defendant was either a man who allegedly murdered his wife or a woman who allegedly murdered her husband. Ss were asked to render verdicts and sentences (if appropriate) either individually or in like-sex groups of three. There was a significant interaction between sex of S (juror) and sex of defendant in the rendering of the verdicts: Ss were less likey to find a defendant of their own sex guilty than they were to find a defendant of the opposite sex guilty. The possible effect of this finding upon the guarantee of “equal justice under law” was discussed.