Abstract
AbstractThe present study derived hypotheses from Kelley's attribution model and recent research (Mitchell and Byrne, 1973) showing jurors' attitudes influence the length of sentences they recommend. Psychiatric nursing students (N=79) were presented with eight hypothetical case histories of convicted drug offenders, and were asked the causes of the offenders' behavior. The traffickers' socio‐economic status, consistency of offenses and form of trial (judge or jury) were experimentally manipulated. As predicted the behavior of consistent offenders was attributed to the person himself and subjects recommended more punishment for such individuals. Furthermore, subjects with liberal drug standards recommended less severe punishment for the offenders. Neither the sex nor the locus of control (Rotter, 1966) of the subjects had any significant main effects. Significant form of trial by consistency and drug standard by socio‐economic status interactions were found. Legal implications of the research are presented.
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