Article
Potential Factors Influencing Attitudes Towards Veterans who Commit Crimes: An Experimental Investigation of PTSD in the Legal System
Current Research in Social Psychology
(2018)
Abstract
Research has shown that veterans with PTSD report more acts of violence than those without
PTSD. As such, it is important to study factors that may impact legal attitudes toward veterans
with PTSD, especially in regards to the use of PTSD as a defense. In the present study,
participants read documents detailing a case in which a veteran was charged with murder. Two
factors were manipulated: when the defendant was diagnosed with PTSD and what type of
military event caused the PTSD. Results revealed that these factors did not impact guilt
judgments but did impact other perceptions of the defendant.
Keywords
- Veterens,
- PTSD,
- Crime
Disciplines
Publication Date
2018
Publisher Statement
Current Research in Social Psychology (CRISP) is a peer reviewed, electronic journal publishing theoretically driven, empirical research in major areas of social psychology. Publication is sponsored by the Center for the Study of Group Processes at the University of Iowa, which provides free access to its contents. For more information on this journal please visit CRISP online.
Citation Information
Amanda M. Vicary and Amanda Larsen. "Potential Factors Influencing Attitudes Towards Veterans who Commit Crimes: An Experimental Investigation of PTSD in the Legal System" Current Research in Social Psychology Vol. 26 (2018) p. 12 - 23 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/amanda_vicary/14/