Lee A. Jackson

Justice is Still Not Colorblind: Differential Racial Effects of Exposure to Inadmissible Evidence

An experiment was conducted to assess whether the effects of inadmissible information in a simulated criminal trial is moderated by race. The significant interaction between information admissibility and defendants race indicated that the effect of inadmissible information was stronger when the defendant was Black. More specifically, perceptions of the appropriate verdict did not vary as a function of race in the admissible or control condition. On the other hand, in the inadmissible condition, perceptions of the appropriate verdict were higher for the Black defendant than for the White defendant. Interestingly, subjects in the Black-defendant-inadmissible condition felt that they were less affected by the inadmissible information than subjects in the White-defendant-inadmissible condition.

The Role of Ambiguity and Gender in Mediating the Effects of Salient Cognitions

The purpose of the present research was to assess the effects of the simultaneous occurrence of two potential moderators of the perceptual-biasing effects of salient cognitions. These moderating factors were ambiguity of the behavioral information and individual differences (gender). The design was a 2 (salience-salient, nonsalient) X 2 (ambiguity-ambiguous, relatively unambiguous) X 2 gender (male, female) factorial. One-half of the subjects were exposed to information focusing on the inappropriateness of sexual inequality (salient condition), whereas the other half were not exposed to such information (nonsalient condition). Subsequently, subjects read a passage that depicted an acquaintance rape in which the female clearly (relatively unambiguous condition) or did not clearly (ambiguous condition) convey her lack of consent to intercourse. The results indicated that salience had minimal effects in the relatively unambiguous condition. In the ambiguous condition, the effects of salience were moderated by gender. Implications for research focusing on moderators of salient stimuli and modification of negative perceptions of rape were discussed.

A comparison of moral reasoning and moral character in male and female incarcerated felons

Gender differences among incarcerated adult felons along dimensions of moral reasoning and moral character were examined. Previous work was extended by comparing adult male and female felons, and by exploring the relationship between moral reasoning and moral character. Subjects completed the Socio-moral Reflection Questionnaire, which measures moral reasoning. Moral character was assessed by a socialization scale, two empathy measures, and two autonomy questionnaires. Discriminant function analysis revealed that men were higher than women on moral reasoning, lower on socialization, higher on role-taking empathy, lower on emotional empathy, and more internal in locus of control. Moral reasoning was correlated with role-taking empathy and locus of control. Implications for theories of gender differences in moral reasoning and criminality were discussed.

Development and Validation of Videotaped Scenarios: A Method for Targeting Specific Participant Groups

Researchers using scenarios often neglect to validate perceived content and salience of embedded stimuli specifically with intended participants, even when such meaning is integral to the study. For example, sex and aggression stimuli are heavily influenced by culture, so participants may not perceive what researchers intended in sexual aggression scenarios. Using four studies, the authors describe the method of scenario validation to produce two videos assessing alcohol-related sexual aggression. Both videos are identical except for the presence in one video of antiforce cues that are extremely salient to the young heterosexual men. Focus groups and questionnaires validate these mens perceptions that (a) the woman was sexually interested, (b) the sexual cues were salient, (c) the antiforce cues were salient (antiaggression video only), and (e) these antiforce cues inhibited acceptance of forced sex. Results show the value of carefully selecting and validating content when assessing socially volatile variables and provide a useful template for developing culturally valid scenarios.

Incidence, sources, and self-management of depression in persons attending a rural health clinic in southeastern North Carolina.

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence, sources, and self-management strategies of depression in a sample of 48 persons visiting a primary care clinic in rural Southeastern North Carolina. Forty percent of the participants met the criteria of clinical depression on the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Highest rates of depression found in single, African American men who were employed with adequate health insurance were attributed primarily to work related stressors in dealing with overwhelming social problems of other rural residents, as well as economic stressors. Critical incident interviews identified depression self-management strategies and sources of social support.

Birds of a Brighter Feather: Level of Moral Reasoning and Similarity of Attitude as Determinants of Interpersonal Attraction

After being classified by scores on the Defining Issues Test, an essay concerning capital punishment, and an Attitudes-toward-Capital Punishment Scale, subjects high and low in moral reasoning and for and against capital punishment evaluated on the Interpersonal Judgment Scale bogus strangers who supposedly had also written essays concerning capital punishment. Essays were varied to reflect attitudes similar to or opposed to the subjects own and to be presented on a similar or different (higher or lower) stage of moral reasoning. Strong main effects occurred in the direction of more positive evaluations of sources (bogus strangers) who were similar in attitude and who reasoned on a principled level. These results were interpreted to suggest that subjects may be favorably impressed by the structure of principled arguments independent of the effects of similarity. This is consistent with modeling as an influence in accounting for upward shifts in moral reasoning.

What Do Women Want? A Qualitative Study of Dating

Many approaches to decrease unwanted sex for women emphasize enhanced risk recognition. However, women often remain in risky situations despite recognition; so we need to understand the attractions of normative dating and sex. In this focus group study, 45 young adult women discussed their attractions to men, dating, and sex. Themes emerged describing conflicts between what they wanted, dating realities, desire for “traditional” behavior from the man, alcohol use, sexual arousal (hers and his), indirect communication about sex, feeling “obligated,” and enhanced self-esteem. Results suggest improving risk-recognition programs by examining and clarifying women’s goals for dating and putting positive emphasis on “have fun, achieve your goals, but try to avoid harm in the process.”

Women's drinking decisions in heterosocial situations: development and validation of scenarios to assess influence of attraction and risk-awareness

These three related studies created a set of ecologically valid scenarios for assessing relative associations of both attraction and sexual coercion risk-recognition in college women’s heterosocial situational drinking decisions. The first study constructed nine scenarios using input from heterosexual drinking women in the age cohort (18-30) most likely to experience alcohol-related sexual coercion. In the second study, 50 female undergraduates (ages 18-25) assessed the salience of three important dimensions (attraction, risk, and realism) in these scenarios. The third study was a factor analysis (and a follow-up confirmatory factor analysis) of the elements of coercion-risk as perceived by the target group with two female samples recruited 1 year apart (Sample 1: N = 157, ages 18-29); Sample 2: N = 157, ages 18-30). Results confirmed that the scenarios could be a useful vehicle for assessing how women balance out risk and attraction to make in-the moment heterosocial drinking decisions. The factor analysis showed participants perceived two types of situations, based on whether the male character was “Familiar” or “Just Met” and perceived themselves as happier and more excited with Familiar males. However, in contrast to HIV risk studies, Familiar males were perceived as higher risk for unwanted sex. Future research will use the six scenarios that emerged from the factor analysis to study how attraction and risk perception differentially affect young adult women’s social drinking decisions.