Len Lecci

A comparison of models of drinking motives in a university sample.

Previous research has suggested the presence of several alternative factorial models for the assessment of drinking motives. In the present study, confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess the factor structure of the Drinking Motives Questionnaire (M. L. Cooper, 1994) in a college sample. The results indicate that a 4-factor model that includes the dimensions of social rewards, affect enhancement, coping, and conformity motives fits the data significantly better than 2- and 3-factor models. Furthermore, the 4-factor model fits equally well for men and women.

Assessing Anti-White Attitudes and Predicting Perceived Racism: The Johnson-Lecci Scale

Five studies are herein reported to describe the development and preliminary validation of the Johnson-Lecci Scale (JLS), a multicomponent self-report measure of anti-White attitudes held among Blacks. Items were generated from the everyday experiences of Black respondents using an act-frequency approach, and the scale configuration was derived using factor analysis. The factor structure was shown to be robust because it was cross-validated in an independent sample. The resulting JLS factors (subscales) were ingroup-directed stigmatization and discriminatory expectations, outgroup-directed negative beliefs, negative views toward ingroup-outgroup relations, and negative verbal expression toward the outgroup. These subscales were shown to predict the interpretations of ambiguously racist scenarios (i.e., perceived racism) and converged with peer evaluations of the target’s anti-White attitudes. The subscales also demonstrate both convergent and discriminant validity with other self-report assessments of bias relating to age, gender, education, socioeconomic status, and race.

Revising the Factor Structure of the Juror Bias Scale: A Method for the Empirical Validation of Theoretical Constructs

The application of factor analytic techniques to explore the construct and predictive validity of a popular scale used for the identification of pretrial juror bias is herein reported. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was employed on the Juror Bias Scale (JBS) scores of 301 participants, but empirical findings did not support the theoretically derived single-factor scales of Probability of Commission and Reasonable Doubt. Empirically driven alternative models were generated using exploratory factor analysis. The JBS scores of an additional 301 participants were then employed to cross-validate the initial findings using nested modeling CFA. The empirical model achieved a significantly improved fit over the theoretical model and resulted in the elimination of approximately 30% of the original items with no attenuation in the scales ability to predict juror verdicts. Moreover, a theoretical reorganization of the items was consistent with the empirically derived model and provided a rationale for altering the scoring of the JBS which, in turn, maximized its predictive validity. The use of CFA techniques to aid in the development of scales assessing jury attitudes and biases is discussed.

Examining the Construct Validity of the Original and Revised JBS: A Cross-Validation of Sample and Method

Factor analysis is a statistical technique that can provide an understanding of construct validity. Previous research examining the factor structure of the Juror Bias Scale (JBS) has uncovered problems in the scales assessment of the constructs of probability of commission (PC) and reasonable doubt (RD). We here reevaluate the scales constructs to better our understanding of the pretrial biases involved in the juror decision-making process. Importantly, previous findings have been limited to college student samples and trial material that has involved rape evidence. This study examines the construct validity of the JBS in a sample of 617 jury-eligible adults drawn from the community, and the predictive validity of the JBS is examined across 3 distinct trial scenarios. The results parallel earlier findings, indicating that although RD is a tenable and useful construct affecting juror decision-making, PC may be a less relevant pretrial bias. We therefore suggest that future research emphasize alternative constructs, such as confidence and cynicism in the criminal justice system.

Predicting guilt judgments and verdict change using a measure of pretrial bias in a videotaped mock trial with deliberating jurors

Abstract One important limitation of previous research involving measures of bias is that they rely heavily on brief methods of conveying trial information (case summaries) and participants typically do not deliberate as juries before rendering verdicts. In the present study, 183 jury-eligible college students completed the Pretrial Juror Attitudes Questionnaire (PJAQ) and the Juror Bias Scale, watched a videotaped simulated armed robbery trial, and rendered verdicts both before and after deliberating as juries. The results indicate that the PJAQ, and especially the subscales of System confidence and Conviction proneness, significantly predicts pre-deliberation verdicts as well as verdict change (i.e. the shift in verdicts from pre- to post-deliberation). Moreover, the PJAQ provides incremental predictive validity over a more commonly used measure of pretrial bias (the Juror Bias Scale) for pre- and post-deliberation verdicts, as well as providing incremental predictive validity with respect to a jurors tendency to change his/her verdict as a function of the deliberation process. Specifically, bias is associated with a greater probability of verdict change, regardless as to whether that bias reflects a pro-prosecution or pro-defense position. The implications these results have for the importance of pretrial attitude on juror judgments and the deliberation process are discussed.

Comparing the MMPI-2 Scale Scores of Parents Involved in Parental Competency and Child Custody Assessments.

MMPI-2 scores from a parent competency sample (N = 136 parents) are compared with a previously published data set of MMPI-2 scores for child custody litigants (N = 508 parents; Bathurst et al., 1997). Independent samples t tests yielded significant and in some cases substantial differences on the standard MMPI-2 clinical scales (especially Scales 4, 8, 2, and 0), with the competency sample obtaining higher clinical scores as well as higher scores on F, FB, VRIN, TRIN, and L, but lower scores on K, relative to the custody sample. Despite the higher scores in the competency sample, MMPI-2 mean scores did not exceed the clinical cutoff (T > 65). Moreover, the present competency sample essentially replicates the MMPI-2 scores of a previously published competency sample, suggesting that the present findings are representative of that population. The present findings suggest that separate reference groups be used when conducting child custody vs. parental competency evaluations, as these appear to be distinct populations despite there being similarities in the testing circumstances.

Altered processing of health threat words as a function of hypochondriacal tendencies and experimentally manipulated control beliefs

Attentional biases associated with various forms of psychopathology have been well documented. Few studies, however, have assessed the factors that moderate these biases. The present paper assesses the biased processing of health words as a function of hypochondriacal tendencies during a threat of bioterrorism (anthrax), and whether perceived control can moderate those biases. Based on a sample of 328 participants, hypochondriacal tendencies were associated with slower reaction times on a modified emotional Stroop task when the stimulus words were anthrax-related, and this effect was moderated by a manipulation of perceived control. Specifically, individuals with low perceived control over the health threat had greater attentional bias of anthrax infection, independent of related variables such as anxiety.

Predicting verdicts, adherence to judge's instructions, and assumptions about the disposition of the defendant in a case involving the insanity defense

Abstract 296 college students and jury eligible adults completed attitudinal measures and read a case summary of a murder trial involving the insanity defense. The case summary included opening and closing arguments, testimony from expert witnesses, and judges instructions. Although broader legal attitudes (the PJAQ) predicted verdicts, the Insanity Defense Attitudes-Revised scale provided incremental predictive validity. Attitudes related to the insanity defense also predicted adherence to judges instructions, whereas more general legal biases predicted a jurors willingness to change their verdict after being provided with accurate information about the defendants disposition following the verdict. Importantly, misconceptions concerning the insanity defense impacted verdicts and many jurors made decisions that failed to adhere to the judges instructions, though the nullification tendency does appear to vary as a function of pretrial juror attitudes. Implications for instructing jurors in insanity defense cases will be discussed.

Using Social Science Research to Inform and Evaluate the Contributions of Trial Consultants in the Voir Dire

ABSTRACT It is argued here that jury selection methods commonly employed by trial consultants and lawyers in the voir dire process are fraught with problems because they do not employ standardized assessments. This commentary advocates the advantages of employing standardized, reliable, and validated measures of pretrial juror bias to more effectively conduct the voir dire, and we delineate some of the methods by which this can be accomplished. We also assert that trial consulting, like any other profession, should be scientifically scrutinized with regard to demonstrating whether it contributes to the effectiveness of the voir dire.

Investigating the effects of physical discomfort on laboratory-induced mood states

In order to investigate the effects of physical discomfort (i.e., pain) on the induction of mood, 139 participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: sad, sad with physical discomfort, happy, and happy with physical discomfort. Consistent with our hypotheses, the addition of physical discomfort resulted in a significantly stronger induction of self-reported depression, with these findings showing temporal specificity and persisting even after statistically controlling for stable response biases. However, other self-reported affective states, as well as cognitive and behavioral measures, were not significantly affected by physical discomfort. Findings are discussed with regard to making the laboratory induction of sad affect more consistent with the multifaceted experience of depression.