NCJ Number
127184
Journal
Law and Human Behavior Volume: 14 Issue: 5 Dated: special issue (October 1990) Pages: 489-509
Date Published
1990
Length
20 pages
Annotation
The presented study examines in a controlled setting the hypothesized effects of electronic media coverage (EMC) relative to conventional media coverage (CMC) on witness behavior.
Abstract
The research procedure involved two sessions with a simulated witness pool. The subjects were 178 undergraduates enrolled in the introductory psychology course at the University of Minnesota. In the first session, witnesses viewed a videotaped crime; in the second session, they testified about the crime under one of three conditions: electronic media coverage in which a video camera taped the testimony; conventional coverage in which a journalism student took notes of the live testimony; and a control condition in which no media of any type was present. After each witness testified, he returned to the waiting room, and the next witness was brought to the courtroom. While the next witness testified, the previous witness completed the postexperimental measures. After the questionnaire was completed, the witnesses were individually debriefed and dismissed. The results concluded that EMC witnesses reported a greater nervousness and media awareness than did witnesses in CMC or no-media comparison conditions. Concern about perceived nervousness adversely affecting actual witness performance was not supported. 4 footnotes, 5 tables, and 39 references (Author abstract modified)