Sex and race as factors affecting the attribution of insanity in a murder trial

Two hundred and eight white male and female college students read a summary of a case of a violent murder in which an insanity plea was entered. The sex and race (black or white) of the hypothetical defendant was varied in a 2 X 2 factorial design with 52 Ss per cell. Measurements included verdict (...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	The journal of psychology Vol. 93; no. 1st Half; p. 93
Main Authors:	McGlynn, R P, Megas, J C, Benson, D H
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States 01-05-1976
Subjects:	Decision Making Ethnic Groups Female Homicide Humans Insanity Defense Jurisprudence Male Sex Factors
Online Access:	Get more information
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Summary:	Two hundred and eight white male and female college students read a summary of a case of a violent murder in which an insanity plea was entered. The sex and race (black or white) of the hypothetical defendant was varied in a 2 X 2 factorial design with 52 Ss per cell. Measurements included verdict (guilty or insane), length of recommended sentence, and ratings of certain defendant characteristics. Major results were as follows: (a) harsher treatment of males as indicated by longer sentences, (b) longer sentences for white as opposed to black males among defendants found guilty, and (c) a trend toward a higher proportion of guilty verdicts for black males.
ISSN:	0022-3980
DOI:	10.1080/00223980.1976.9921378