Date Available

3-18-2011

Year of Publication

2010

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Document Type

Thesis

College

Arts and Sciences

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Jonathan M. Golding

Abstract

Mock juror perception of institutional elder neglect (IEN) was investigated in a civil court context. Participants (N=148) read a fictional IEN civil trial summary in which an alleged elderly female victim filed a lawsuit against her nursing home for failure to provide adequate care but died prior to trial. Participants read a version in which (a) previously recorded video testimony from the alleged victim was presented, (b) the alleged victim’s floor-mate testified about witnessing the neglect, or (c) no witness testimony was presented. An ageism scale was completed, and participants indicated the amount of time they spend with elders. Results indicated that there were no main effects of testimony or ageism on likelihood of ruling for the alleged victim, but recorded victim testimony had an indirect effect on ruling through overall plaintiff’s case credibility and pro-victim ratings. Participants who typically had more contact with elders were more likely to rule for the plaintiff and have pro-victim ratings. Results are discussed in terms of the importance of juror attitudes towards elderly people in IEN cases.

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