Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Research shows that false confessions are more likely to occur in certain vulnerable populations, one of those being individuals with intellectual disabilities. The aim of the current study was to gain insight into the current knowledge and attitudes the layperson has about the possibility of an individual with an intellectual disability falsely confessing. Data were collected from 180 participants and after exclusion criteria were implemented, 94 participants were included in the current sample. It was hypothesized that participants would more often rate suspects as guilty and be more confident in their verdict if the suspect did not have an intellectual disability, but this was not supported. It was also hypothesized that more participants would rate suspects as not guilty and would be less confident in their verdict if the suspect recanted his confession. This was partially supported in that participants were less confident in their verdict when the suspect recanted his confession. Limitations of the current study, implications for research and clinical applications, and future directions are discussed

Year manuscript completed

2022

Year degree awarded

2022

Author's Keywords

interrogation, interviewing, false confessions, intellectual disability

Thesis Advisor

Laura Liljequist

Committee Chair

Laura Liljequist

Committee Member

Diane Nititham

Committee Member

Jana Hackathorn

Committee Member

Esther Malm

Document Type

Thesis

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