“Stop Right There!”: The Effect of Pausing Video Evidence on the Perceived Intent of Suspects

Previous research indicates that the way how video evidence is presented can affect how much intent viewers ascribe suspects. With this between-subjects online study, I investigated whether pausing video evidence leads viewers to ascribe greater premeditated intent to the suspect. Further, I assessed whether this effect may arise because viewers perceive that the suspect had more time to deliberate and/or because the pause makes the deliberation moment more readily available in memory. All participants (N = 169, Mage = 21.95) were shown video evidence of a crime. The video paused either immediately before the crime, far before the crime, or did not pause. Subsequently, they judged the intent of the suspect, and suggested a charge and sentence length that the suspect should serve in detention. Results indicated that pausing video evidence did not lead viewers to ascribe greater intent to the suspect nor to demand a more severe charge. Moreover, pausing video evidence did not lead...Show morePrevious research indicates that the way how video evidence is presented can affect how much intent viewers ascribe suspects. With this between-subjects online study, I investigated whether pausing video evidence leads viewers to ascribe greater premeditated intent to the suspect. Further, I assessed whether this effect may arise because viewers perceive that the suspect had more time to deliberate and/or because the pause makes the deliberation moment more readily available in memory. All participants (N = 169, Mage = 21.95) were shown video evidence of a crime. The video paused either immediately before the crime, far before the crime, or did not pause. Subsequently, they judged the intent of the suspect, and suggested a charge and sentence length that the suspect should serve in detention. Results indicated that pausing video evidence did not lead viewers to ascribe greater intent to the suspect nor to demand a more severe charge. Moreover, pausing video evidence did not lead viewers to perceive that the suspect had more time to deliberate about the crime. However, the pause made the moment of deliberation more readily available in memory. Further, participants who ascribed greater intent to the suspect also demanded longer imprisonment of the suspect. This study provided preliminary insights for policymaking on how to present evidence unbiased for factfinding in court and to ensure fairer legal processes.Show less

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“Stop Right There!”: The Effect of Pausing Video Evidence on the Perceived Intent of Suspects