Projects
My research focuses on the social psychological processes that shape judgments and decision-making in legal contexts. I take a use-inspired approach, aiming to inform practices that promote fairness in the legal system while grounding my work in social psychological theory. Below are brief descriptions of three research areas I have explored and continue to develop.
Perceptions of 911 Callers:
What Makes People Suspicious?
Many people who have called 911 have been wrongfully convicted of the crime they reported. This collaborative project, funded by the National Science Foundation, investigates theory-driven behavioral, linguistic, and acoustic aspects of a 911 call that trigger feelings of suspicion in real and simulated 911 calls among laypeople and experts (e.g., police officers, 911 operators, and trauma clinicians).
Implicit Bias Interventions
in Courts
Courts across the U.S. are educating jurors about implicit bias, but there is little research on how these efforts actually impact jury decision-making. I am exploring how these interventions—typically delivered through short educational videos or judicial instructions—influence jurors' case decisions and perceptions of the courts. I am also interested in public perceptions of these interventions and what individual differences are related to people's support of them.
Perceptions of Suspects Based on their Miranda Decision
Most people choose to speak to the police during a criminal investigation, even though it’s often not in their best interest. One explanation is that people are worried that refusing to talk to the police will make them look guilty. One line of my research explores how people's decision to waive or invoke their Miranda rights influences perceptions of their guilt.
