What do other people think he deserves? Social influence on utilization of mitigating information regarding a violent offender's unfortunate life history.

ABSTRACT: The blameworthiness of an offender is often discussed in groups. Yet, the research literature overwhelmingly examines individuals assessing blameworthiness in isolation. To address this gap in the literature, the present study examines group deliberations about blameworthiness, with a particular focus on how group deliberations impact utilization of mitigating information about an offender's unfortunate life history. Participants from introductory psychology courses at a U.S. university were placed in groups of two or three and each group also included a confederate who followed a script. Groups were randomly assigned to one of four conditions. In one condition (deed only), groups learned only about the offender's heinous crimes. In the three remaining conditions, participants also receive

SUBMITTER: Gill MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10656008 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature