| The influential effects of victim impact statements on jury decision making during the sentencing phase of a domestic violence trial were examined. One hundred and fifty-one participants read a trial summary based on People v. Beasley (2003). Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 versions of the fact pattern: (1) Gender Neutral; (2) Male Batterer, Female Victim; (3) Female Batterer, Male Victim. Participants (except those in the gender neutral condition) then read a victim impact statement, completed the Positive and Negative Affect Scale, the Attitudes toward Men scale, and the Attitudes toward Women Scale, and responded to a questionnaire.;Participants who received the victim impact statement inflicted stricter sentences on the defendant. Those in the female batterer, male victim condition chose the strictest punishment for the defendant. Gender stereotypes and emotions did not appear to have an effect on sentencing. |
