Date Approved
4-28-2008
Embargo Period
3-23-2016
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.A. in Mental Health Counseling and Applied Psychology
Department
Psychology
College
College of Science & Mathematics
Advisor
Gaer, Eleanor
Subject(s)
Battered woman syndrome; Evidence, Expert
Disciplines
Psychology
Abstract
The purposes of this investigation were to (a) explore the relationship between jury verdicts when traumatic brain injury expert testimony is provided and (b) examine the relationship between the verdicts when battered women syndrome expert witness testimony is provided, in Rowan University undergraduate students (N = 100). Students were provided with experimental packets, read a mock legal case, answered four questionnaires, and conducted a mock jury deliberation. Students indicated their verdicts were of lesser severity when there was traumatic brain injury expert witness testimony when compared to battered women syndrome expert witness testimony. Analysis of variance statistics indicated that expert witness testimony of traumatic brain injury was more likely to result in not guilty verdicts, whereas expert witness testimony of battered women syndrome was more likely to result in not guilty, by reason of insanity verdicts. Implications of the types of expert witness testimonies provided when battered women kill their abusers are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Sheikh, Asma, "Expert witness testimony in jury verdicts when battered women kill" (2008). Theses and Dissertations. 758.
https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/758
