Factors that influence Criminal Sentencing
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Venu Gandhi
College:
College of Liberal Arts
Major:
Psychology/Forensic Psychology
Faculty Research Advisor(s):
Verneda Hamm-Baugh
Abstract:
The interaction between criminal sentencing and mental illness is a complex and critical aspect of the criminal justice system. Previous research highlights both the potential mitigating value and the counter-mitigating value of mental illness when it comes to criminal sentencing. Thus, the purpose of this study was to delve deeper into this topic, investigating the role of mental illness in sentencing outcomes. The study focused on two key components: the presence of a mental illness and the specific type of mental illness - Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, and Antisocial Disorder. It was hypothesized that the presence of a mental illness would result in a longer prison sentence, with schizophrenia having the lengthiest sentence compared to the other disorders. Participants (N = 98) consisted of Kean University students enrolled in PSY 1000 and PSY 2000 courses who completed an online questionnaire assessing the appropriate sentencing based on the scenario they were presented with. The findings of this study will be discussed.