Authors: Allison, Meredith; Mathews, Kyla R.; Michael, Stephen W.

Source: Social Behavior and Personality: an international journal, Volume 40, Number 4, 2012 , pp. 605-612(8)

Publisher: Scientific Journal Publishers

Abstract:

We examined how alibi strength and a suspect's claim of engaging in salacious alibi activities impact alibi believability. Specifically, we investigated whether an alibi of watching an X-rated movie versus watching a regular movie caused differences in alibi believability, perceived likelihood of guilt, and ratings of various character traits. Undergraduates read a crime description and a mock transcript before completing a questionnaire (adapted from Olson & Wells, 2004). Alibis were rated as more believable when the suspect provided a salacious alibi. Suspects with salacious alibis were rated as more honest, open, and less likely to be guilty.

Keywords: ALIBI BELIEVABILITY; SALACIOUS ALIBI; JUROR PERCEPTION; STRENGTH OF EVIDENCE; SUSPECT CHARACTER

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2224/sbp.2012.40.4.605

Publication date: 2012-05-01

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