Blame Attribution in Court: Conceptualization and Measurement of Perpetrator Blame

• NCJ Number: 242907
• Journal: Victims & Offenders Volume: 8 Issue: 1 Dated: January - March 2013 Pages: 42-55
• Author(s): Robert J. Cramer; Erin L. Gorter; Monique D. Cornish Rodriguez; John W. Clark; Amanda K. Rice; Matt R. Nobles
• Date Published: January 2013
• Length: 14 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study evaluated psychometric properties of the Perceptions of Blame Scale (PBS; Rayburn, Mendoza, & Davison, 2003) across crimes of varying severity and motivation.

Abstract

Drawing on legal and psychological theory of blame, the present study evaluates psychometric properties of the Perceptions of Blame Scale (PBS; Rayburn, Mendoza, & Davison, 2003) across crimes of varying severity (i.e., misdemeanor assault, felony assault, and murder) and motivation (gay hate crime victim versus heterosexual victim perceived as gay). Results revealed support for a single-factor model of perceptions of perpetrator blame in a panel of jury-eligible community members. Perceptions of blame in this study moderated the impact of crime motivation on the sentencing decision. Results are discussed with regard to legal and psychological perspectives of blame in a jury research paradigm. Abstract published by arrangement with Taylor and Francis.