How Victim and Execution Impact Statements Affect Mock Jurors’ Perceptions, Emotions, and Verdicts

Abstract

This study examines the effects of Victim Impact Statements (VISs) and Execution Impact Statements (EISs) on death-qualified mock jurors through a 2 (VIS/no VIS) by 2 (EIS/no EIS) between-subjects design in which participants read a capital murder trial and completed an online survey. The VIS and EIS had no effect on verdicts, but the VIS increased participants’ negative emotions as well as perceptions of the victim and those who gave impact statements. Conversely, the EIS increased positive emotions and perceived remorsefulness of the defendant. Lastly, the VIS and EIS interacted to influence perceptions of the victim. Implications for victims and the legal system are discussed.

Keywords:

• victim
• execution
• impact statements
• death penalty
• emotions
• affect
• capital punishment
• jury decision making
• perceptions

This research was completed as an undergraduate honors thesis and was funded by the General Undergraduate Research Award at the University of Nevada–Reno. This research was also presented at the 2010 American Psychology-Law Society Conference in Vancouver, BC.

Notes

1. We had intended on using demographics (i.e., age, race, and gender) as additional independent variables, but found no significant effects on sentencing decisions, emotions, or perceptions.

2. We had intended on testing whether emotions and/or perceptions mediated the relationship between impact statements and sentencing decisions; however, because impact statements did not affect sentencing decisions, this analysis was moot.