Exploring lay citizens' judgment and critical thinking

DOI Web Site
  • MURAYAMA Aya
    Department of Psychological Science, Center for Applied Psychological Science, Kwansei Gakuin University
  • MIURA Asako
    Department of Psychological Science, Kwansei Gakuin University

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • 有罪・無罪判断と批判的思考態度との関連 : テキストデータを用いた分析から(<サブ特集>裁判員制度の見直しに向けて:法と心理学の視点からII)
  • 有罪・無罪判断と批判的思考態度との関連 : テキストデータを用いた分析から
  • ユウザイ ・ ムザイ ハンダン ト ヒハンテキ シコウ タイド ト ノ カンレン : テキストデータ オ モチイタ ブンセキ カラ

Search this article

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between lay citizens' judgment and critical thinking for dispositions in criminal courts. One hundred and forty four undergraduate and graduate students were asked to (1) read a trial scenario based on an actual case (2) judge guilt or innocence (3) write down the reason for their judgment (4) complete a scale measuring their critical thinking disposition. The scenario used was devised to induce a guilty judgment, but an impartial judge would not be biased toward the presumption of innocence. A text data analysis of the responses was conducted to extract frequently appearing words within participants' stated rationale for their judgment. This was followed by a corresponding analysis in four categories, which were combinations of judgments (guilt or innocence) x critical thinking disposition (high or low). The results revealed that participants with a high critical thinking disposition, who chose "innocent" tended to mention absence of evidence, while those with a low critical thinking disposition, who chose "guilty" tended to mention remarks made by the witness, defendant, and attorney during the trial. Participants with a low critical thinking disposition also used words such as "wrong," "contrived," and "unconvinced."

Journal

Keywords

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top