It is assumed that jurors are free from bias, yet within the literature there has been many factors found to be influencing juror’s decision making. The aim of this dissertation is to investigate the specific impact socioeconomic status (SES), gender, and locus of control (LOC) could have on jury decision making and sentencing for crimes of varying severity. 100 participants were presented with eight hypothetical crime vignettes which were factor constructed across three levels: SES (high or low), gender (male or female), and severity of crime (murder or shoplifting). Participants also completed LOC and SES questionnaires. Interestingly, results show a significant interaction effect between SES of the defendant and severity of crime, where defendants with a high SES received shorter sentences for murder compared to low SES defendants. However, high SES defendants received longer sentences for shoplifting compared to low SES defendants. Additionally, participants of a low SES and
external LOC gave statistically significant different sentences to male and female defendants, giving female defendants longer. Gender and LOC of the participant were also significant predictors of verdict decisions, but only in specific scenarios and not across the entirety of the study. No other variables were found to be significant within this study. This research has been a critical addition to the literature by indicating the biases that might be present within the courtroom. Future research should address the possible reasons for the significant result around the SES and severity of the crime, as well as investigating the other novel significant effects and gender of the participant (as this could not be analysed). Furthermore, policymakers should use the results of this study to inform the implementation of practices that will ensure a jury is as unbiased as possible.
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