Rape Trial Jurors Biased by Sexual Orientation and Victim Gender but Not Race

Shaneika Smith, Student, Psychology; Damon Taylor, Student, Psychology; Kristine Jacquin, Faculty, Psychology

This research examined the influence of victim gender, victim and defendant sexual orientation, and victim and defendant race on juror decisions in a rape trial. Participants (N = 505) found the defendant guiltier when he was accused of raping a homosexual victim compared to a heterosexual victim. The defendant was judged guiltier when he was heterosexual and the victim was male, or when he was homosexual and the victim was female. Victim and defendant race did not impact juror decisions. The results suggest that sexual orientation should not be revealed in rape trials to reduce the risk of juror bias.