Perceptions of Psychopathy and Defendant Controllability: Juror Decision-Making, Death Penalty Sentencing, and Courtroom Strategies

Abstract

The purpose of this research study was to examine how juror sentencing decisions relate to perceptions of defendant psychopathy and perceptions of defendant controllability. It was predicted that perceptions of higher psychopathy would result in harsher sentencing decisions, that perceptions of higher controllability would result in more punitive sentencing decisions, and that there is a controllability and psychopathy interaction that would uniquely predict the most punitive juror sentencing decisions.

The present study assessed 387 mock juror participants on their perceptions about a criminal defendant’s degree of psychopathy and controllability. Participants were then asked to make death penalty sentencing decisions. The final 2x2 factorial ANOVA analysis included 120 participants in four experimental conditions. Results showed that higher defendant psychopathy ratings significantly predicted a greater likelihood of imposing the death penalty over a life sentence. Higher defendant controllability scores also significantly predicted a greater likelihood of imposing the death penalty over a life sentence. Contrary to expectations, there was no significant interaction between psychopathy and controllability ratings on juror death penalty sentencing decisions.

This study provides new insights about more subtle factors that may influence juror decision-making, which have implications for the trial strategies of both prosecution and defense attorneys. A skillful and optimized courtroom presentation strategy may influence trial consequences, ultimately determining critical life and death consequences for the criminal defendant.