Adverse Childhood Experiences in Capital Sentencing: A Focal Concerns Approach to Understanding Capital Juror Leniency

被引:3
|
作者
Vaughan, Tyler J. [1 ]
Holleran, Lisa Bell [2 ]
机构
[1] Minnesota State Univ Mankato, Dept Sociol & Correct, Mankato, MN 56001 USA
[2] St Edwards Univ, Dept Criminal Justice, Austin, TX 78704 USA
关键词
Adverse childhood experiences; affect heuristic; capital punishment; focal concerns theory; mitigating evidence; DECISION-MAKING; FUTURE DANGEROUSNESS; MITIGATING EVIDENCE; DEFENDANTS HISTORY; PENALTY PHASE; DEATH; ABUSE; PUNISHMENT; RACE; INSTRUCTIONS;
D O I
10.1080/07418825.2022.2038242
中图分类号
DF [法律]; D9 [法律];
学科分类号
0301 ;
摘要
This study examines the effect of defendant Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on sentencing decisions in death penalty cases. Relying on Focal Concerns Theory and the affect heuristic, we examine the relative importance of substantive rationalities (blameworthiness and protection of the community from harm) and affect (anger and sympathy) in explaining the impact of such evidence. U.S. adults participated in a mock juror tasks in which exposure to ACEs as mitigating evidence was experimentally manipulated. Defense testimony elicited leniency, largely operating through affective responses to ACE evidence. Evidence of abuse did not contribute to evaluations of the defendant as a greater threat to the community. Substantive rationalities explained variability in sentencing decisions, but did not explain a substantial portion of the impact of ACE evidence. Implications for the constitutionality of capital punishment and directions for future research are discussed.
引用
收藏
页码:187 / 210
页数:24
相关论文
共 50 条
  • [1] Assessing juror understanding of capital-sentencing instructions
    Frank, J
    Applegate, BK
    [J]. CRIME & DELINQUENCY, 1998, 44 (03) : 412 - 433
  • [2] Expert testimony in capital sentencing: Juror responses
    Montgomery, JH
    Ciccone, JR
    Garvey, SP
    Eisenberg, T
    [J]. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PSYCHIATRY AND THE LAW, 2005, 33 (04): : 509 - 518
  • [3] Improving comprehension of capital sentencing instructions - Debunking juror misconceptions
    Otto, Charles W.
    Applegate, Brandon K.
    Davis, Robin King
    [J]. CRIME & DELINQUENCY, 2007, 53 (03) : 502 - 517
  • [4] The effects of clinical and scientific expert testimony on juror decision making in capital sentencing
    Krauss, DA
    Sales, BD
    [J]. PSYCHOLOGY PUBLIC POLICY AND LAW, 2001, 7 (02) : 267 - 310
  • [5] Adverse childhood experiences, adult anxiety and social capital among women in rural Kenya
    Goodman, Michael L.
    Baker, Larissa
    Maigallo, Agnes Karambu
    Elliott, Aleisha
    Keiser, Philip
    Raimer-Goodman, Lauren
    [J]. JOURNAL OF ANXIETY DISORDERS, 2022, 91
  • [7] AN UPSTREAM APPROACH TO UNDERSTANDING ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES AND OBESITY
    Schroeder, Krista
    Dumenci, Levent
    Day, Sophia
    Konty, Kevin
    Noll, Jennie
    Henry, Kevin
    Suglia, Shakira
    Wheeler, David C.
    Sarwer, David
    [J]. ANNALS OF BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE, 2024, 58 : S226 - S226
  • [8] Adverse childhood experiences and self-esteem among adolescents: The role of social capital and gender
    Yan, Yuqi
    Zhang, Jingyue
    Lu, Nan
    [J]. JOURNAL OF ADOLESCENCE, 2024, 96 (07) : 1539 - 1554
  • [9] Adverse Childhood Experiences and Dementia: Interactions With Social Capital in the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study Cohort
    Tani, Yukako
    Fujiwara, Takeo
    Kondo, Katsunori
    [J]. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE, 2021, 61 (02) : 225 - 234
  • [10] Shafer v. South Carolina: Another missed opportunity to remove juror ignorance as a factor in capital sentencing
    Baarsma, W
    [J]. JOURNAL OF CRIMINAL LAW & CRIMINOLOGY, 2002, 93 (01): : 23 - 74