Prior relationship, relationship breakdown, and group decisions in the attribution of cases of stalking

Abstract

Studies concerned with perceptions of stalking have demonstrated that the prior relationship between the stalker and the victim biases decision making in both individual and mock jury situations. These biases tend to benefit ex-partners over strangers yet the reality of stalking is that it is ex-partners who cause more concern and are more dangerous. Previous research demonstrates that one way to overcome this bias during individual decision making is to provide information describing the reasons for the previous relationship breaking down. The current mixed-method study examines the influence of this information on small groups randomly assigned to one of five conditions where the relationship information provided differed and individual and group decisions regarding vignettes of stalking situations were examined. Group decisions and analysis of the deliberations indicated that in small group settings, as with the previous findings for individual decisions, relationship information plays a role in overcoming the ex-partner bias.