DSpace Repository :: Browsing by Author "Salekin, Karen L."

Browsing by Author "Salekin, Karen L."

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Aggravating, ambiguous, and arbitrary: perceptions of heinousness in capital punishment
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2016) Applegate, Kathryn Christine; Salekin, Karen L.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Of the 32 states with the death penalty, 25 states identify some variation of “heinous, atrocious, or cruel” as a statutory aggravating factor. In recognition of the vague nature of this factor, some states have enacted legislation that limits jurors’ discretion by providing guidance regarding how to define “heinousness,” or by outlining essential characteristics of heinous crimes. Despite this guidance, indiscriminate application is still a concern. Research has explored how heinousness affects juror decision-making, sentencing outcomes, and perceptions of the defendant; however, these studies have varied in their definitions and have not always ensured that perceptions of heinousness were different across conditions. The purpose of the current study was to better understand what elements of crimes are viewed as more or less heinous in the eyes of undergraduate mock jurors. Using a within-subject, vignette-based design, ratings of heinousness were collected for 53 vignettes and eight variables were studied (i.e., method of killing, relationship, victim age, victim vulnerability, mental suffering, physical suffering, gruesomeness, and time). Significant differences were found within each factor (p < .001). Results provide researchers with a framework for future heinousness research, as well as information for the legal system with regard to what constitutes heinousness.
The Atkins conundrum: deliberation, order effects, and an IQ score of 76
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2014) Chen, Debra R.; Salekin, Karen L.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
This study examined the effect of deliberation, presence of an intelligence quotient (IQ) score of 76 in the claimant's history, and evidence presentation order on mock juror decisions in an Atkins case. Jurors read and heard a transcript based on a real Atkins case and were asked to determine if the claimant has intellectual disability (ID) and the degree to which they were convinced the claimant has ID. Jury deliberation was manipulated on two levels (deliberation and no deliberation); an IQ score of 76 in the claimant's history (high prior IQ) was manipulated on two levels (presence and absence); and evidence presentation order was manipulated on two levels (IQ evidence first with adaptive behavior (AB) evidence second and AB evidence first with IQ evidence second). Three possible moderating variables were studied (need for cognition (NFC), legal authoritarianism, and endorsement of negative attitudes toward and stereotypes about individuals with ID). A total of 209 mock jurors were divided into 40 juries with each jury consisting of five to eight jurors. Linear mixed modeling revealed that juries that deliberated were more convinced the claimant has ID than juries that did not deliberate. Analyses also indicated that there was a primacy effect for the IQ evidence but not the AB evidence. There was also an interaction between NFC and presence of a high prior IQ. In the absence of a high prior IQ, high-NFC and low-NFC individuals were equally convinced the claimant has ID. With a high prior IQ, high-NFC individuals were less convinced the claimant has ID than low-NFC individuals. Deliberation also reduced endorsement of stereotypes. These findings suggest that there may be group processes occurring during deliberation that reduce group bias.
Atkins decisions: the impact of crime and mock juror characteristics
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2019) Applegate, Kathryn Christine; Salekin, Karen L.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Since the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that individuals with intellectual disability (ID) could not be sentenced to death (Atkins vs. Virginia, 2002), triers-of-fact have been required to make determinations as to whether a defendant or offender meets the required diagnostic criteria. The current study evaluated the impact of crime and juror characteristics on diagnostic determinations. Undergraduate students were assigned to a “low” or “high” heinousness condition, which varied by the crime vignette, and listened to an Atkins hearing. Participants then made a determination regarding the claimant’s disability status (i.e., ID or not ID) and completed several measures assessing personal attitudes and emotions thought to affect legal decision-making. As hypothesized, results revealed that perceptions of crime heinousness and juror characteristics can influence mock jurors’ Atkins decisions. Specifically, the more heinous participants perceived the crime to be, the less likely that they were to conclude the individual had ID.
Beyond Atkins: how do the prongs perform during sentencing?
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2016) Wood, Mary E.; Salekin, Karen L.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
In Atkins v. Virginia (2002) the High Court categorically excluded individuals with intellectual disability (ID) from a punishment of death due to the limited judgment, poor reasoning, and reduced levels of impulse control inherent in the disability. This research explored the impact of the diagnostic prongs during sentencing for offenders found guilty of a capital crime and who failed to prove ID during an Atkins hearing. The current study used a mock jury deliberation paradigm with a large sample of undergraduate students divided into four-, five-, or six-person mock juries. Two of the three diagnostic prongs, limited intelligence and deficits in adaptive behavior, were manipulated with the goal of identifying how these deficits (or lack thereof) are interpreted independently, and in conjunction with, one another during capital mitigation. The results indicated that both IQ and AB deficits are considered mitigating by death-qualified mock jurors, and information about deficits in one or both of these areas was associated with a 1.8 times greater likelihood of a sentence of life without the possibility of parole relative to the condition in which neither IQ nor AB deficits were present. Consistent with the High Court’s ruling in Atkins v. Virginia (2002), participants who believed the hypothetical defendant had ID were significantly less likely to sentence him to death as opposed to life in prison without the possibility of parole. More broadly speaking, the current study also provided evidence that perceptions of mitigating factors mediate the relationship between individual attitudes and ultimate sentencing determinations, and perceptions of mitigating factors can be understood through the lens of attribution theory. Implications are discussed with a particular emphasis on how this information can be used in the courtroom. Recommendations for research are offered.
Communicating violence risk: judicial decision making in involuntary civil commitments
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2012) Evans, Stephanie Ann; Salekin, Karen L.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Beginning in the 1990s, researchers in the field of violence risk assessment recognized that even the most accurate and valid risk assessment could not assist fact-finders if violence risk was not communicated in a clear, precise, and complete manner (Monahan & Steadman, 1996; Schopp, 1996). Due to this growing attention to the importance of risk communication, four empirical studies have investigated how risk messages impact decisions and how decision-makers interpret risk messages (Kwartner, Lyons, & Boccaccini, 2006; Monahan et al., 2002; Slovic & Monahan, 1995; Slovic, Monahan, & MacGregor, 2000). The main purpose of the current study was to investigate judges' opinions regarding the probative value of risk communication messages in civil commitment proceedings. There were five types of risk communication messages that were investigated in this study: (a) description model; (b) prediction model [categorical format]; (c) prediction model [probabilistic format]; (d) prediction model [frequency format]; and (e) management model. Secondary purposes of this study were to investigate whether these risk messages influence judicial decisions and whether the attributes of role orientation, legal philosophy, and Fear of False Negatives (FFN) impact the decision-making process. A national sample of 403 judges completed the study, which produced an 18.28% response rate. Each participant was randomly selected to receive one of ten risk vignettes in which type of risk message and risk level were systematically varied. Participants answered three questions regarding the applicable risk vignette and completed demographic and judicial attribute questionnaires. This study found that the risk models (i.e., description, prediction, and management messages) were viewed as equally probative. However, within the risk prediction model, categorical messages were rated as highest in probative value. Results indicated that risk prediction messages, in general, led to stricter rulings than did the other risk models, but no one risk prediction format (i.e., categorical, probabilistic, or frequency) resulted in higher restrictiveness in judicial ruling. Finally, this study found that legal philosophy and FFN, but not role orientation, impacted the restrictiveness of judicial rulings. Limitations of this study and recommendations for future research are discussed.
Determinations of mental retardation: the influence of standard of proof
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2011) Chen, Debra R.; Salekin, Karen L.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
The effects of two standards of proof (preponderance of the evidence and clear and convincing) and quantified definitions (quantified and non-quantified definitions) on two dependant variables (mock juror determinations of intellectual disability and numerical definitions of the standards of proof) were examined. One-hundred and thirty-nine undergraduate students were asked to read a transcript and determine if the defendant in the transcript had ID. Participants were also asked to complete questionnaires designed to measure their need for cognition, right-wing authoritarianism, endorsement of negative attitudes regarding individuals with intellectual disability, and their intelligence. Analyses indicated that standard of proof and quantification significantly affected whether mock jurors believed the defendant met criteria for ID and their numerical definitions of the two standards. There were no significant moderating variables. Limitations of and implications from the study are discussed.
Disarming the hostile media: an intervention to reduce perceptions of media bias by reducing naïve realism
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2015) Shreves, Wyley Burnett; Hart, William P.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
When viewers see coverage of an issue on which they are strongly partisan, they tend to perceive even unbiased news coverage as biased against their own position. This “hostile media effect” has important implications for how citizens gather and respond to information. Psychologists studying the hostile media effect have presumed that it is, in part, driven by “naïve realism”, or the layman’s belief that “I see things as they are.” This dissertation is the first study to empirically establish this link by demonstrating that high partisans show a reduction in their perception that objectively neutral news coverage is biased against their position (i.e., they are more accurate in their perception) when their naïve realism has been challenged using a previously validated intervention, which incorporates an experiential component along with information about unconscious processes affecting perception. Furthermore, results indicate that high partisans are less defensive and more even-handed in their perception following this intervention and not actively trying to appear more unbiased.
Does a Booster Intervention Augment the Preventive Effects of an Abbreviated Version of the Coping Power Program for Aggressive Children?
(Springer, 2014) Lochman, John E.; Baden, Rachel E.; Boxmeyer, Caroline L.; Powell, Nicole P.; Qu, Lixin; Salekin, Karen L.; Windle, Michel; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa; University of Alabama Birmingham; Emory University
Booster interventions have been presumed to be important methods for maintaining the effects of evidence-based programs for children with behavioral problems, but there has been remarkably little empirical attention to this assumption. The present study examines the effect of a child-oriented booster preventive intervention with children who had previously received an abbreviated version (24 child sessions, 10 parent sessions) of the Coping Power targeted prevention program. Two hundred and forty-one children (152 boys, 89 girls) were screened as having moderate to high levels of aggressive behavior in 4th grade, then half were randomly assigned to receive the abbreviated Coping Power program in 5th grade, and half of the preventive intervention children were then randomly assigned to a Booster condition in 6th grade. The Booster sessions consisted of brief monthly individual contacts, and were primarily with the children. Five assessments across 4 years were collected from teachers, providing a three-year follow-up for all children who participated in the project. Results indicated that the abbreviated Coping Power program (one-third shorter than the full intervention) had long-term effects in reducing children's externalizing problem behaviors, proactive and reactive aggression, impulsivity traits and callous-unemotional traits. The Booster intervention did not augment these prevention effects. These findings indicate that a briefer and more readily disseminated form of an evidence-based targeted preventive intervention was effective. The findings have potential implications for policy and guidelines about possible intervention length and booster interventions.
Effects of a psychosocial intervention on eating behavior compliance in bariatric surgery patients
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2009) Boeka, Abbe; Prentice-Dunn, Steven; Lokken, Kristine L.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Obesity is a leading cause of preventable death in America and its prevalence is increasing at an alarming rate. Given the medical and psychosocial consequences of obesity, surgical intervention for weight loss ("bariatric" surgery) is now considered a viable option. Although the initial success rate of bariatric surgery is high, sustained weight loss requires adherence to strict post-surgical guidelines. There is increasing evidence that a percentage of patients have difficulties adhering to the post-surgical guidelines, with reemergence of poor eating habits (overeating, binge eating) being a major contributing factor. Recurrence of such eating habits can be detrimental to successful weight loss after surgery. Given the difficulties many patients face after surgery, it is possible that the typical post-surgical eating behavior guidelines presented to bariatric surgery patients are ineffective in motivating some individuals to comply. Protection Motivation Theory (PMT), a model that specifies the components of health messages that increase compliance with a health behavior, has been proven to be a reliable model for creating health promotion messages. The present study utilized a PMT-based intervention directed at patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Eighty-two obese individuals seeking surgical treatment of obesity were recruited to participate in this study. Participants were divided into two groups: PMT vs. Control. In addition to routine messages from the bariatric surgeon, participants in the PMT group received an intervention focused on the importance of adhering to post-surgical eating behavior guidelines and how best to adhere to these guidelines. This intervention was in the form of lectures, guided readings, and participant discussion. Participants in the control group received standard of care information from the bariatric surgeon. Those participants who had bariatric surgery during the time frame of the study were followed after surgery to assess post-surgical eating habits and weight loss. Results indicated that overall, the PMT intervention did not have a significant impact. However, follow-up analyses indicated that perceived self-efficacy and perceived threat of not following the guidelines may predict patients' intentions to comply with post-surgical guidelines. In addition, perceived self-efficacy was found to be a significant predictor of post-surgical weight loss. Findings are discussed in terms of the methodological compromises that resulted from the applied research setting as well as promising avenues for future investigation.
The effects of classification on teacher and parent interpretations of the cognitive performance of children with intellectual disability
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2013) Davis, Megan Benson; Merrill, Edward C.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Previous research has indicated that the classification of intellectual disability (ID) may negatively impact interpretations of the cognitive performance of children with ID, especially for general-education teachers. However, there are some findings that suggest that these negative effects of classification may be overcome when competing information is present. The current study examined the effects of classification by having three groups of participants, parents, general-education teachers, and special education teachers, watch a video of a child who was classified as either typically developing or as having an intellectual disability perform a time-telling task. Level of performance was also manipulated such that the child in the video performed either very poorly or very well on the task. The results indicated that level of performance was a more significant predictor of participant judgments than classification, particularly for general-education teachers. Further, parents and special education teachers exhibited a tendency to overestimate the performance of the child in the video, regardless of classification or level of performance. Performance attributions and correlations between the accuracy of judgments and participant variables were also examined.
Evaluation of a clinical assumption: analysis of self-reported adaptive behaviors and acquiescent response style in adults with mild intellectual disability/mental retardation
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2010) Doane, Bridget M.; Salekin, Karen L.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Traditionally, adaptive behavior assessments have excluded the opinions and ratings of an individual assessed for intellectual disability/mental retardation (ID/MR). This exclusion has been justified via the clinical assumption that individuals with ID/MR are unable to provide valid reports of their own abilities. The current study directly investigated this assumption. Using the Survey Interview Form of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales--Second Edition (Vineland-II), a standardized adaptive behavior measure, the current study compared the self-reported adaptive abilities of 28 individuals with Mild ID/MR with their direct care providers' (DCPs) ratings. Experimental measures designed to detect response acquiescence (yea-saying) and exaggeration of adaptive functioning deficits were also administered. Results indicated that when using the Vineland-II, resultant standard scores on all major domains of adaptive behavior were not significantly different. Age and sex effects were partially observed. The presence of yea-saying did not significantly predict concordance among dyad members. The experimental measure of response bias demonstrated relatively poor specificity and will require revisions to item content. Preliminary conclusions assert that individuals with Mild ID/MR should not necessarily be excluded from their own adaptive behavior assessments. Limitations and contributions of the study as well as future research directions are discussed.
Fake it till you make it: a replication of simulated malingering of adaptive behavior deficits
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2018) Doran, Stephanie Chambers; Salekin, Karen L.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
In 2002, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ruled that offenders diagnosed with intellectual disability (ID) could not be sentenced to death (Atkins v. Virginia). Though the judicial determination is made in accordance with the clinical definition, the decision is a legal one. The clinical definition is comprised of three parts: (1) deficits in intellectual functioning; (2) deficits in adaptive functioning; and (3) onset of these deficits during the developmental period, or prior to age 18. Both the assessment of intellectual and adaptive functioning are measured via standardized assessment instruments, and in the case of adaptive behavior, collateral information. As is true for all assessments, the use of standardized measures is important, but only if the product is valid. The aim of this study was to assess the susceptibility of three commonly used measures of adaptive behavior (i.e., SIB-R, ABAS-3, and Vineland-3) to malingering. The study is a replication and extension of a previous study conducted a decade ago by Doane and Salekin (2009). As was found in the original study, the SIB-R was particularly sensitive to detecting biased responding, while the ABAS-3 was the most susceptible to feigned deficits. The Vineland-3, which was not examined in the previous study, demonstrated moderate sensitivity to differentiating between high and low deficit endorsement. Lastly, the influence of knowledge regarding characteristics associated with ID did not aid participants in malingering in a more effective manner; this was true across conditions (i.e., mild, moderate and unspecified ID).
Gender disparity in the prediction of recidivism: the accuracy of the LSI-R modified
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2009) Evans, Stephanie Ann; Salekin, Karen L.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
During the last 50 years, the rate at which females enter the correctional system has increased exponentially. Despite this influx, risk assessment instruments remain geared toward male offenders. The Level of Service Inventory-Revised (LSI-R) is considered by some to be one of the most predictive and comprehensive risk instruments, but critics assert that this instrument neglects risk factors salient for female offenders. This study examined whether modifying the LSI-R to assess gender responsive variables (i.e., victimization, economic marginality, and "gendered" substance abuse) would result in an improved assessment of recidivism risk over the original LSI-R. Participants were 37 male and 26 female offenders incarcerated at community corrections centers and county jails in a southeastern state. The study found that the inclusion of all the gender responsive crime variables did not increase the predictive accuracy of the LSI-R. However, the victimization domain performed better than the other gender responsive variables in increasing the predictive accuracy of the LSI-R, while not impacting the predictive accuracy for male offenders. Furthermore, the victimization domain accounted for a significant amount of variability in the rearrest status, of both male and female offenders, above and beyond that predicted by the LSI-R risk score. Implications regarding the assessment of dynamic victimization factors in risk evaluation practices are discussed.
The impact of emotional intelligence on substance use and delinquency in a college sample: a comparison of emotional intelligence traits versus abilities
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2010) Tomczak, Victoria Michelle; Salekin, Randall T.; Clements, Carl B.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Substance abuse and delinquent behavior are prevalent behaviors on college campuses that negatively affect many students each year. Researchers have investigated causes and correlates of these behaviors, including personality, contextual variables, and cognitive factors. The current study investigated the impact of two prominent models of emotional intelligence (ability model and trait models) on substance abuse and reactive/immature delinquency in a college population. Emotional intelligence is generally defined as the capacity to understand and manage emotions. Trait emotional intelligence is described as self-perceptions, abilities, competencies, and personality traits. Ability emotional intelligence is described as a combination of emotional-reasoning skills and abilities. 193 students from the University of Alabama participated in the current study. Results indicated that both trait and ability emotional intelligence (as measured by the Emotional Quotient-Inventory (EQ-i) and Mayer Salovey Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT), respectively), were significantly correlated with substance abuse and reactive/immature delinquency (as measured by the Measure of Delinquency-Revised (MOD-R)). In multiple regression models, the EQ-i and the MSCEIT remained significant predictors of substance abuse, but not of reactive/immature delinquency, which was significantly predicted by the personality traits of Openness and Agreeableness. Gender was also a significant predictor of substance abuse but not of reactive/immature delinquency. These results reflect the distinct, yet related, nature of ability and trait emotional intelligence constructs and the usefulness of both models in predicting substance abuse. Future directions include further exploration of gender differences and the inclusion of contextual factors in the predictive models. The current study also addressed the creation and predictive ability of the Emotional Intelligence Behavior Scale (EIBS). The EIBS was significantly correlated with trait, but not ability, emotional intelligence and was a significant predictor of reactive/immature delinquency. Future directions include further development of this scale and exploration of its predictive ability.
The impact of posttraumatic growth, transformational leadership, and self-efficacy on psychological symptoms among combat veterans
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2017) LaRocca, Michael Andrew; Scogin, Forrest Ray; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Previous research has established self-efficacy and posttraumatic growth as essential to post-deployment adjustment among veterans, and perceived transformational leadership is well known for its positive effects on follower outcomes across contexts. However, little is known regarding how transformational leadership may relate to self-efficacy and posttraumatic growth in fostering psychological wellbeing among combat veterans. The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the role of posttraumatic growth and transformational leadership in predicting PTSD and depression symptoms among combat veterans, as well as how post-deployment coping self-efficacy may mediate these relations. Regression analysis revealed post-deployment coping self-efficacy and perceived transformational leadership as predictors of fewer psychological symptoms. In addition, mediation modeling using bootstrapping resampling revealed that post-deployment coping self-efficacy mediated the relation between transformational leadership and both PTSD and depression. These findings may aid in the prediction of PTSD and depression symptoms among veterans, which may then influence pre-deployment leadership training among military personnel as well as clinical treatment protocols for veterans.
The Influence of Crime and Evaluation Context on Adaptive Behavior of Defendants with Intellectual Disability
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2022) Johnson, Lauren N; Salekin, Karen L.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
In Atkins v. Virginia (2002), the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ruled it unconstitutional to sentence an individual with intellectual disability (ID) to death. More recently, the SCOTUS emphasized the need to utilize standards of practice when assessing for adaptive functioning in Atkins claims and in Moore v. Texas (2017) made this a requirement. Existing literature has demonstrated the lack of unanimity over what constitutes best practice regarding the use of correctional staff as informants of an individual's adaptive behavior and the use of this information to inform the Court. The debate is one about bias and error in the application of this information. One side is of the opinion that officers do not have the breadth of information necessary to provide valid information and the other the opposite. The current study evaluated the impact of type of crime (i.e., capital murder or theft), context of the evaluation (i.e., ID or evaluation), and attitudes toward ID on perceptions of adaptive functioning. Undergraduate students were randomly assigned to one of four conditions and completed measures assessing adaptive functioning and attitudes. Results revealed that the type of crime can influence perceptions of adaptive functioning. Specifically, participants perceived the individual charged with capital murder to be lower functioning than the individual charged with theft. In addition, findings suggested that participants believed individuals are higher functioning in the domain of daily living skills as compared to communication and socialization. Contrary to expectations, evaluation context and attitudes toward ID were not related to or predictive of adaptive functioning.
Judicial decision making in atkins cases: examining the influence of psychological reports and judicial attitudes
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2015) Hedge, Krystal; Salekin, Karen L.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
The impact of psychological assessment report style (i.e., deficit- versus strength-based reports), report content (e.g., claimant educational background, details of the instant offense, prison behavior), and judicial attitudes toward intellectual disability (ID) were assessed with regard to judicial decision-making in a mock Atkins case. A between-groups study (i.e., strength- and deficit-based report groups) was conducted through the use of a mixed-mode design. Participants included 122 judges serving in either federal or state courts. Results supported the hypothesis that the style in which a psychological assessment report is written is influential in final case outcome. Specifically, the strength-based report group was significantly more likely to find against ID than the deficit-based group, and the deficit-based group was more likely to find in favor of ID than the strength-based group. Contrary to the hypotheses, judicial attitudes toward ID did not predict the extent to which participants weighed certain report content in their final decision (i.e., relevant evidence against ID, not relevant to the decision, relevant evidence in favor of ID). However, the results showed that the extent to which participants weighed the claimant’s index offense to be evidence in support of ID was a significant predictor of final case outcome; when the index offense was viewed as evidence against ID, participants were more likely to find against ID. Personal experience with the ID population was not a significant predictor of final case outcome, but as knowledge of the diagnostic criteria increased, participants were more likely to find in favor of ID. The perceived credibility of the psychologist who authored the mock report did not predict participant agreement with the report’s final conclusion regarding ID. Overall, the results of this study indicated that the general style in which psychological assessment reports were written influenced judicial decision-making in a mock Atkins case. In addition, the results of this study revealed that attitudes toward and experience with ID were less influential in judicial decision-making than initially believed. Knowledge of ID was revealed to be a significant predictor of final case outcome. The limitations of this study and suggested directions for future research are discussed.
Judicial reliance on extra-clinical factors in atkins determinations: beyond clinical definitions and data
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2012) Hedge, Krystal Anne; Salekin, Karen L.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
The influence of extra-clinical factors on "successful" and "unsuccessful" Atkins cases were examined. Sixty-two judicial opinions were included in this study, 31 successful and 31 unsuccessful cases. Extra-clinical factors (e.g. Briseno Factors, activities typical of most adults, behavior in prison) served as the independent variables, and the final outcome of the hearings served as the dependent variable. The influence of Antisocial Personality Disorder on case outcome was examined. Differences in the rate of successful and unsuccessful claims as a function of the state where the case was heard was compared to state trends in the rate of executions. In addition, the rate of deficits in functional academics was also examined. Analyses indicated that opinions were not influenced by extra-clinical factors to the extent hypothesized, and a history of Antisocial Personality Disorder did not predict final case outcome. The rate of successful and unsuccessful claims did not follow state trends in the rate of execution as expected. As hypothesized, functional academics was the most often cited area of deficits in successful and unsuccessful cases. It should be noted that a number of analyses in this study contained few participants across groups, which likely contributed to non-significant findings. Additional limitations of this study and recommendations for future research are discussed.
Juror perceptions in sexual orientation-based hate crimes
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2010) Gorter, Erin; Salekin, Karen L.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
The present study sought to investigate how victim sexual orientation and homonegativity influence the relationship between severity of crime and assignment of punishment to the perpetrator of a sexual orientation-based (SO) hate crime. These differences were examined across three levels of hate crime: misdemeanor assault, felony assault, and attempted murder. In addition, a secondary focus of this study was to examine whether jurors' perceptions of perpetrator and victim blame varied based on the severity of the crime and the victim's sexual orientation. Previous literature has shown that juror sexual prejudice (i.e., homonegativity) influences jurors' perceptions and decision-making processes in similar contexts; therefore, the researchers explored whether homonegativity moderates each of the proposed relations. A total of 238 participants were recruited from jury pools in four counties located in the state of Alabama. Participants completed a series of questionnaires related to a trial vignette, which depicted one of three varying levels of an SO hate crime. Results showed a significant main effect of the severity of crime on sentencing recommendation with the length of punishment increasing with the severity of the crime. No significant main effect of victim sexual orientation and no significant interaction between severity of crime and homonegativity were found on sentencing recommendation. It was also found that more blame was assigned to the perpetrator when the victim was heterosexual and significantly lower levels of victim blame were found when the crime was a misdemeanor assault as opposed to a felony assault or attempted murder. However, both of these relations became non-significant when homonegativity was entered into the model indicating the variables were unable to explain a unique amount of variance in the perceptions of blame. Finally, it was found that participants with higher levels of homonegativity assigned higher amounts of blame to the victim (regardless of the victim's sexual orientation). Theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed. The results suggest there are some factors which may unduly influence jury members in SO hate crimes and could lead to homosexual victims experiencing additional negative consequences during these trials. The current study also demonstrates the need for additional research on jury decision-making in SO hate crimes to ensure that victims of these crimes are being treated fairly within the justice system.
Malingering: the impact and influence in Atkins cases
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2015) Delacy, Rachel L.; Salekin, Karen L.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Intellectual disability (ID) is a condition characterized by deficits in intelligence and adaptive behavior with onset during the developmental period. As a result of its recognition that individuals with ID are vulnerable within the confines of the legal system, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) precluded these individuals from a sentence of death (Atkins v. Virginia, 2002, 536 U.S. 304). Justice Scalia, an ardent dissenter in Atkins, argued this decision would encourage defendants to feign ID to avoid the death penalty. Though empirical research has not yet evaluated Justice Scalia’s concerns, a review of the literature by Salekin and Doane (2009) found that cognitive malingering measures that are typically utilized in forensic settings may not be appropriate for an ID population. The purpose of the current study was two-fold. First, to conduct an analysis of Atkins judicial opinions to investigate the frequency with which the issue of malingering is raised, the methods used by experts to evaluate malingering, and the impact that malingering evidence may have on determinations of ID in these cases. Second, to conduct an empirical investigation into the influence of malingering evidence on determinations of ID in Atkins. Malingering was found to have been mentioned in approximately one third of publically available post-conviction Atkins opinions collected and was found to have an impact in Atkins proceedings. In the experimental manipulation, there were no differences found in determinations of ID related to type of malingering evidence presented (i.e., clinical judgment vs. actuarial data) although participants considered such testimony in their decision-making. Additionally, opposing expert testimony about the questionable use of actuarial measures of malingering did not impact ID determinations.

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