| The double-edged sword: does biomechanism increase or decrease judges' sentencing of psychopaths? | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 22904010 Owner: NLM Status: In-Data-Review |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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We tested whether expert testimony concerning a biomechanism of psychopathy increases or decreases punishment. In a nationwide experiment, U.S. state trial judges (N = 181) read a hypothetical case (based on an actual case) where the convict was diagnosed with psychopathy. Evidence presented at sentencing in support of a biomechanical cause of the convict's psychopathy significantly reduced the extent to which psychopathy was rated as aggravating and significantly reduced sentencing (from 13.93 years to 12.83 years). Content analysis of judges' reasoning indicated that even though the majority of judges listed aggravating factors (86.7%), the biomechanical evidence increased the proportion of judges listing mitigating factors (from 29.7 to 47.8%). Our results contribute to the literature on how biological explanations of behavior figure into theories of culpability and punishment. |
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Authors:
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Lisa G Aspinwall; Teneille R Brown; James Tabery |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Science (New York, N.Y.) Volume: 337 ISSN: 1095-9203 ISO Abbreviation: Science Publication Date: 2012 Aug |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2012-08-20 Completed Date: - Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0404511 Medline TA: Science Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 846-9 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA. |
Export Citation:
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From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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