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Thesis
Perceptions of risk factors of juvenile suspects' false confessions
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Feb 2011
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-3903
Abstract
Jurors tend to accept confessions as one of the most important pieces of evidence. This may be problematic for juveniles who are particularly at risk for offering false confessions during interrogations. Although aware of the possibility of false confessions, people may not understand the influence of risk factors (e.g., young age, low IQ) on the probability of false confessions, and jurors may discount the presence of such factors. This study examined young adults' beliefs about risk factors that may influence the likelihood of juveniles' false confessions and evaluated the accuracy of these beliefs by comparing them to extant research findings. Data from 438 participants revealed that participants correctly identified Miranda comprehension, suggestibility, and substance use and abuse as influencing the likelihood of a false confession, and they failed to identify five other risk factors that have been identified in previous research. Consistent with predictions, those young adults whose beliefs better reflected extant findings on risk factors tended to believe that false confessions were more likely to occur. Future research may focus on obtaining data in a more realistic jury setting. Implications concerning juvenile cases with an alleged false confession are discussed.
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Details
- Title
- Perceptions of risk factors of juvenile suspects' false confessions
- Creators
- Lindsey Peterson - DU
- Contributors
- Naomi E. Goldstein (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 3903; 991014632390104721