Gender biases in legal decision-making: an exploration of judicial and public perceptions across multiple offences
Gender biases in legal decision-making: an exploration of judicial and public perceptions across multiple offences
StatusPost-Print
Alternative title
Authors
Lewandowicz-Machnikowska, Monika
Grzyb, Tomasz
Doliński, Dariusz
Kulesza, Wojciech
Monograph
Monograph (alternative title)
Date
2024-03-26
Publisher
Journal title
Journal of Criminal Psychology
Issue
2
Volume
14
Pages
Pages
120-135
ISSN
2009-3829
ISSN of series
Access date
2023-12-29
Abstract PL
Abstract EN
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to investigate how judges and the general population formulate judgments on legal cases, considering both legal and extralegal factors, with a focus on the significance of the defendant’s sex.
Design/methodology/approach
The first experiment aimed to determine if non-lawyers’ judgments are affected by the defendant’s sex, using brief excerpts from indictments with the defendant’s sex interchanged. Study 2 aimed to verify if this effect applies to future lawyers, suggesting a peculiar approval granted by men to women displaying illegal sexual behaviour towards young men.
Findings
The findings showed that the sex of the offender only influenced judgments in sexual offences, with male participants being more lenient towards female offenders.
Originality/value
The originality/value of the paper lies in its examination of the influence of the defendant’s sex on judgments made by both judges and the general population, specifically focussing on non-lawyers’ judgments. While previous studies have shown that judges tend to be more lenient towards women in certain cases, this paper adds novelty by investigating whether a similar effect is observed among non-lawyers. Moreover, the research sheds light on the relevance of the defendant's sex in cases of sexual offences and identifies a gender-specific leniency towards female offenders, particularly among male participants. The study also explores how this effect might extend to future lawyers, providing insights into societal attitudes regarding illegal sexual behaviour involving women and young men. Overall, the paper contributes valuable information to the understanding of how sex-based biases can influence legal judgments and decision-making processes.
Abstract other
Keywords PL
Keywords EN
justice
passing sentences
sex of the offender vs the severity of the punishment
moral judgements
passing sentences
sex of the offender vs the severity of the punishment
moral judgements
Keywords other
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