Stanley Brodsky - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Stanley Brodsky

Research paper thumbnail of To Flatter The Jury: Ingratiation During Closing Arguments

Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, 2014

Ingratiation is a powerful tool of persuasion in many settings. In the current study, participant... more Ingratiation is a powerful tool of persuasion in many settings. In the current study, participants read a description of a criminal case and then viewed a videotaped presentation of closing arguments from actors portraying the prosecuting and defense attorneys. The defense attorney's closing argument contained either no, low, moderate or high levels of ingratiation. Ingratiation significantly affected juror ratings of attorney attractiveness, trustworthiness, likeability, confidence and overall credibility. As ingratiation increased, ratings of attractiveness, likeability, and credibility increased, whereas ratings of confidence decreased. The relationship between ingratiation and guilt was mediated by ratings of attorney attractiveness, trustworthiness and confidence. Higher levels of these traits significantly lowered ratings of the defendant's guilt. Implications for the use of ingratiation during closing arguments of trials are discussed.

Research paper thumbnail of Warmth and competence on the witness stand: Implications for male and female expert witness credibility

Introduction • Credibility is an important aspect of person perception. Social perception literat... more Introduction • Credibility is an important aspect of person perception. Social perception literature describes competence and warmth as the credibility domains that drive stereotypes (Fiske et al., 1999; 2002). • Psychology-law literature describes 4 components of credibility (Brodsky, Griffin & Cramer, 2010), two of which (knowledge and likeability) overlap conceptually with competence and warmth.

Research paper thumbnail of Self-Disclosure in Prisoners

Psychological Reports, 1968

Research paper thumbnail of Occupational socialization’s role in forensic psychologists’ objectivity

Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice, 2014

This report integrated quantitative and qualitative methods across two studies to compile descrip... more This report integrated quantitative and qualitative methods across two studies to compile descriptive information about forensic psychologists’ occupational socialization processes. We also explored the relation between occupational socialization and forensic psychologists’ objectivity. After interviewing 20 board-certified forensic psychologists, we surveyed 334 forensic psychologists about their socialization into the field. Results indicated that the occupational socialization processes of forensic psychologists, including socialization about objectivity, varied widely across time and situation as the field has developed. Moreover, three hypotheses regarding occupational socialization were supported. It was positively and significantly associated with years of experience, t(284) = 3.63, p < 0.001, 95% CI = 0.05 – 0.16; belief in one’s ability to be objective, t(296) = 9.90, p < 0.001, 95% CI = 0.69 – 1.03; and endorsement of the usefulness of various bias correction strateg...

Research paper thumbnail of Shared results and open files with the client

Professional Psychology

Proposes methods to make clients partners and participants in treatment by providing freer access... more Proposes methods to make clients partners and participants in treatment by providing freer access to case records, especially for captive clients (e.g., prisoners). 3 assumptions underlying present secrecy practices are explored: (a) "we know best" (paternalism), (b) clients are fragile (exposure to files would be upsetting), (c) clinicians or staff are fragile (secrecy is needed to be honest and effective), and (d) clients are often manipulative (clients would misuse files). It is suggested that none of the assumptions is fully acceptable. A proposal is made that clients be allowed to discuss all issues affecting their welfare, to read all evaluation reports, to have access to all records and files concerning them, and to be allocated space in evaluative or diagnostic reports for self-evaluation or comments.

Research paper thumbnail of Testifying in court: Guidelines and maxims for the expert witness (2nd ed.)

Research paper thumbnail of For the Novice Rape Counselor

Research paper thumbnail of The Effects of Marlowe-Crowne and Instructional Social Desirability Sets on the Self-Concept Scale

J Psychol, 1970

Page 1. Published as a separate and in The Journal of Psychology, 1970, 74, 237-238 THE EFFECTS O... more Page 1. Published as a separate and in The Journal of Psychology, 1970, 74, 237-238 THE EFFECTS OF MARLOWE-CROWNE AND INSTRUCTIONAL SOCIAL DESIRABILITY SETS ON THE SELF-CONCEPT SCALE* American University and Southern Illinois University ...

Research paper thumbnail of THE PERFECT CRIME An Investigation of the Gasoline Station Drive-Away

British Journal of Criminology, Oct 1, 1981

Research paper thumbnail of Understandings and Experiences of Cruelty: An Exploratory Report

Http Dx Doi Org 10 1080 00224540009600505, Apr 3, 2010

The authors investigated popular understandings of cruelty among 103 undergraduates who identifie... more The authors investigated popular understandings of cruelty among 103 undergraduates who identified the cruelest acts that they had experienced vicariously and personally. The authors also examined the reasons that the cited acts were defined as cruel. Results indicated that most of the vicarious cruel acts involved intense aggression or sexual imposition, whereas personally experienced cruelty was milder, frequently consisting of teasing or gossip. Offense, victim, and perpetrator characteristics were all cited as reasons that acts were considered cruel. The authors also investigated gender differences in reported acts and reasons. Future researchers should address the discrepancies between vicarious and personally experienced cruelty. Findings with regard to personal acts also call for links to the literature on callousness and victimization.

Research paper thumbnail of The Wayte Drawing Procedure in Personality Assessment

J Hum Psychol, 1973

Abstract 1. Administered the Who-Are-You-Time-Extension (WAYTE) to 34 female undergraduates and 2... more Abstract 1. Administered the Who-Are-You-Time-Extension (WAYTE) to 34 female undergraduates and 21 female graduate students. Ss were asked to describe and to draw themselves as they had been, as they currently see themselves, as they would like to be, ...

Research paper thumbnail of Addressing the perfect phantom on the witness stand

The journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law

When expert witnesses are cross-examined, a common gambit of opposing counsel is to create a phan... more When expert witnesses are cross-examined, a common gambit of opposing counsel is to create a phantom for comparison purposes. The constructed phantom is typically portrayed as an individual who has gone through similar, difficult life circumstances without the impairments or problematic behavioral sequelae of the plaintiff or defendant in the trial. Abuse histories, assaults, and traumatic experiences all are posited to have little effect on this phantom other, an invulnerability that leads us to call this construct the Perfect Phantom. In this article, the nature of the Perfect Phantom cross-examination is described, along with strategies for coping with these questions.

Research paper thumbnail of Differences in Expert Witness Knowledge: Do Mock Jurors Notice and Does It Matter?

The journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law

Expert Witness Credibility in the Courtroom An expert witness's credibility has the potential to ... more Expert Witness Credibility in the Courtroom An expert witness's credibility has the potential to influence jurors' consideration of their testimony. Both expert knowledge and credibility have been shown to influence disputing parties and third-party decision-makers. Expert witness credibility has been instrumental in verdicts and sentencing recommen

Research paper thumbnail of Moving From Hapless to Hapful with the Problem Defendant

Trial consultants and most attorneys are often perceived to be the agents of defendants who are w... more Trial consultants and most attorneys are often perceived to be the agents of defendants who are wealthy and able to afford their services. A common accusation is that most trial consultants, and the large law firms that specialize in litigation work, promote the adversarial success of people and organizations already in positions of power and influence. Still, there are many pro bono efforts of trial consultants and law firms, as well as efforts of public defenders and court-appointed counsel, to aid individuals who may fairly be considered lower class in a country that avidly avoids class labels. The Emma Lazarus poem engraved at the base of Statue of Liberty invites the tired, the poor, the huddled masses, and the wretched to the nation's shores. With much less grace, the tired, poor, and wretched of our society often make their way to the offices of attorneys who seek to defend them in the face of allegations for offenses that are themselves the products of discrimination, undeniable societal schisms, and living conditions and subcultures that poison and stigmatize. We have come to think of these defendants as hapless and unfortunate recipients of social injustice. The broad scope of social injustice is difficult to change. However,

Research paper thumbnail of Patients' rights: Who's wrong? The changing role of the mental health professional

Professional Psychology, 1976

ABSTRACT

Research paper thumbnail of On becoming an expert witness: Issues of orientation and effectiveness

Professional Psychology, 1972

Abstract 1. Describes the role of the expert witness and the procedures that accompany a court ap... more Abstract 1. Describes the role of the expert witness and the procedures that accompany a court appearance. 2 extremes of witness orientation by mental health professionals are discussed in terms of likely impact and effectiveness.(PsycINFO Database Record (c) ...

Research paper thumbnail of Avoiding Jury Duty: Psychological and Legal Perspectives

Research paper thumbnail of The feisty expert witness

Research paper thumbnail of In the wake of a negligent release law suit: An investigation of professional consequences and institutional impact on a state psychiatric hospital

Law and Human Behavior, 1992

Several staff members at a state psychiatric hospital were found negligent in a jury trial for ha... more Several staff members at a state psychiatric hospital were found negligent in a jury trial for having released a psychiatric patient who subsequently killed a member of the plaintiff's family. This study explored the impact of the law suit on the hospital staff members as individuals and on the functioning of the institution. Self-report measures revealed that both named defendants and nondefendant staff experienced symptoms of emotional disturbance associated with the litigation. Serf-report measures suggest that the law suit was not instructive in any meaningful way regarding improved procedures for subsequent release decision making. Archival data indicate that the staff did release significantly fewer patients during the trial and follow-up period than prior to the litigation. Results are discussed in the context of Wexler's concept of therapeutic jurisprudence. * This study was supported by a grant from the Research Grants Committee of the University of Alabama. The results are the opinions of the authors and do not reflect the opinions of the Research Grants Committee or the University of Alabama. We are indebted to Saleem Shah for his suggestions regarding methodology and particularly the need to investigate positive and instructive aspects of law suits. Request for reprints should be sent to

Research paper thumbnail of The Observed Witness Efficacy Scale: a measure of effective testimony skills

Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 2013

ABSTRACT Despite advances in the scientific methodology of witness testimony research, no sound m... more ABSTRACT Despite advances in the scientific methodology of witness testimony research, no sound measure currently exists to evaluate perceptions of testimony skills. Drawing on self-efficacy and witness preparation research, the present study describes development of the Observed Witness Efficacy Scale (OWES). Factor analyses of a mock jury sample yielded a two-factor structure (poise and communication style) consistent with previous research on witness self-ratings of testimony delivery skills. OWES subscales showed differential patterns of association with witness credibility, witness believability, agreement with the witness, and verdict decision. Juror gender moderated the impact of communication style, but not poise, on belief of and agreement with the witness. Results are discussed with attention to application of the OWES to witness research and preparation training.

Research paper thumbnail of To Flatter The Jury: Ingratiation During Closing Arguments

Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, 2014

Ingratiation is a powerful tool of persuasion in many settings. In the current study, participant... more Ingratiation is a powerful tool of persuasion in many settings. In the current study, participants read a description of a criminal case and then viewed a videotaped presentation of closing arguments from actors portraying the prosecuting and defense attorneys. The defense attorney's closing argument contained either no, low, moderate or high levels of ingratiation. Ingratiation significantly affected juror ratings of attorney attractiveness, trustworthiness, likeability, confidence and overall credibility. As ingratiation increased, ratings of attractiveness, likeability, and credibility increased, whereas ratings of confidence decreased. The relationship between ingratiation and guilt was mediated by ratings of attorney attractiveness, trustworthiness and confidence. Higher levels of these traits significantly lowered ratings of the defendant's guilt. Implications for the use of ingratiation during closing arguments of trials are discussed.

Research paper thumbnail of Warmth and competence on the witness stand: Implications for male and female expert witness credibility

Introduction • Credibility is an important aspect of person perception. Social perception literat... more Introduction • Credibility is an important aspect of person perception. Social perception literature describes competence and warmth as the credibility domains that drive stereotypes (Fiske et al., 1999; 2002). • Psychology-law literature describes 4 components of credibility (Brodsky, Griffin & Cramer, 2010), two of which (knowledge and likeability) overlap conceptually with competence and warmth.

Research paper thumbnail of Self-Disclosure in Prisoners

Psychological Reports, 1968

Research paper thumbnail of Occupational socialization’s role in forensic psychologists’ objectivity

Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice, 2014

This report integrated quantitative and qualitative methods across two studies to compile descrip... more This report integrated quantitative and qualitative methods across two studies to compile descriptive information about forensic psychologists’ occupational socialization processes. We also explored the relation between occupational socialization and forensic psychologists’ objectivity. After interviewing 20 board-certified forensic psychologists, we surveyed 334 forensic psychologists about their socialization into the field. Results indicated that the occupational socialization processes of forensic psychologists, including socialization about objectivity, varied widely across time and situation as the field has developed. Moreover, three hypotheses regarding occupational socialization were supported. It was positively and significantly associated with years of experience, t(284) = 3.63, p < 0.001, 95% CI = 0.05 – 0.16; belief in one’s ability to be objective, t(296) = 9.90, p < 0.001, 95% CI = 0.69 – 1.03; and endorsement of the usefulness of various bias correction strateg...

Research paper thumbnail of Shared results and open files with the client

Professional Psychology

Proposes methods to make clients partners and participants in treatment by providing freer access... more Proposes methods to make clients partners and participants in treatment by providing freer access to case records, especially for captive clients (e.g., prisoners). 3 assumptions underlying present secrecy practices are explored: (a) "we know best" (paternalism), (b) clients are fragile (exposure to files would be upsetting), (c) clinicians or staff are fragile (secrecy is needed to be honest and effective), and (d) clients are often manipulative (clients would misuse files). It is suggested that none of the assumptions is fully acceptable. A proposal is made that clients be allowed to discuss all issues affecting their welfare, to read all evaluation reports, to have access to all records and files concerning them, and to be allocated space in evaluative or diagnostic reports for self-evaluation or comments.

Research paper thumbnail of Testifying in court: Guidelines and maxims for the expert witness (2nd ed.)

Research paper thumbnail of For the Novice Rape Counselor

Research paper thumbnail of The Effects of Marlowe-Crowne and Instructional Social Desirability Sets on the Self-Concept Scale

J Psychol, 1970

Page 1. Published as a separate and in The Journal of Psychology, 1970, 74, 237-238 THE EFFECTS O... more Page 1. Published as a separate and in The Journal of Psychology, 1970, 74, 237-238 THE EFFECTS OF MARLOWE-CROWNE AND INSTRUCTIONAL SOCIAL DESIRABILITY SETS ON THE SELF-CONCEPT SCALE* American University and Southern Illinois University ...

Research paper thumbnail of THE PERFECT CRIME An Investigation of the Gasoline Station Drive-Away

British Journal of Criminology, Oct 1, 1981

Research paper thumbnail of Understandings and Experiences of Cruelty: An Exploratory Report

Http Dx Doi Org 10 1080 00224540009600505, Apr 3, 2010

The authors investigated popular understandings of cruelty among 103 undergraduates who identifie... more The authors investigated popular understandings of cruelty among 103 undergraduates who identified the cruelest acts that they had experienced vicariously and personally. The authors also examined the reasons that the cited acts were defined as cruel. Results indicated that most of the vicarious cruel acts involved intense aggression or sexual imposition, whereas personally experienced cruelty was milder, frequently consisting of teasing or gossip. Offense, victim, and perpetrator characteristics were all cited as reasons that acts were considered cruel. The authors also investigated gender differences in reported acts and reasons. Future researchers should address the discrepancies between vicarious and personally experienced cruelty. Findings with regard to personal acts also call for links to the literature on callousness and victimization.

Research paper thumbnail of The Wayte Drawing Procedure in Personality Assessment

J Hum Psychol, 1973

Abstract 1. Administered the Who-Are-You-Time-Extension (WAYTE) to 34 female undergraduates and 2... more Abstract 1. Administered the Who-Are-You-Time-Extension (WAYTE) to 34 female undergraduates and 21 female graduate students. Ss were asked to describe and to draw themselves as they had been, as they currently see themselves, as they would like to be, ...

Research paper thumbnail of Addressing the perfect phantom on the witness stand

The journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law

When expert witnesses are cross-examined, a common gambit of opposing counsel is to create a phan... more When expert witnesses are cross-examined, a common gambit of opposing counsel is to create a phantom for comparison purposes. The constructed phantom is typically portrayed as an individual who has gone through similar, difficult life circumstances without the impairments or problematic behavioral sequelae of the plaintiff or defendant in the trial. Abuse histories, assaults, and traumatic experiences all are posited to have little effect on this phantom other, an invulnerability that leads us to call this construct the Perfect Phantom. In this article, the nature of the Perfect Phantom cross-examination is described, along with strategies for coping with these questions.

Research paper thumbnail of Differences in Expert Witness Knowledge: Do Mock Jurors Notice and Does It Matter?

The journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law

Expert Witness Credibility in the Courtroom An expert witness's credibility has the potential to ... more Expert Witness Credibility in the Courtroom An expert witness's credibility has the potential to influence jurors' consideration of their testimony. Both expert knowledge and credibility have been shown to influence disputing parties and third-party decision-makers. Expert witness credibility has been instrumental in verdicts and sentencing recommen

Research paper thumbnail of Moving From Hapless to Hapful with the Problem Defendant

Trial consultants and most attorneys are often perceived to be the agents of defendants who are w... more Trial consultants and most attorneys are often perceived to be the agents of defendants who are wealthy and able to afford their services. A common accusation is that most trial consultants, and the large law firms that specialize in litigation work, promote the adversarial success of people and organizations already in positions of power and influence. Still, there are many pro bono efforts of trial consultants and law firms, as well as efforts of public defenders and court-appointed counsel, to aid individuals who may fairly be considered lower class in a country that avidly avoids class labels. The Emma Lazarus poem engraved at the base of Statue of Liberty invites the tired, the poor, the huddled masses, and the wretched to the nation's shores. With much less grace, the tired, poor, and wretched of our society often make their way to the offices of attorneys who seek to defend them in the face of allegations for offenses that are themselves the products of discrimination, undeniable societal schisms, and living conditions and subcultures that poison and stigmatize. We have come to think of these defendants as hapless and unfortunate recipients of social injustice. The broad scope of social injustice is difficult to change. However,

Research paper thumbnail of Patients' rights: Who's wrong? The changing role of the mental health professional

Professional Psychology, 1976

ABSTRACT

Research paper thumbnail of On becoming an expert witness: Issues of orientation and effectiveness

Professional Psychology, 1972

Abstract 1. Describes the role of the expert witness and the procedures that accompany a court ap... more Abstract 1. Describes the role of the expert witness and the procedures that accompany a court appearance. 2 extremes of witness orientation by mental health professionals are discussed in terms of likely impact and effectiveness.(PsycINFO Database Record (c) ...

Research paper thumbnail of Avoiding Jury Duty: Psychological and Legal Perspectives

Research paper thumbnail of The feisty expert witness

Research paper thumbnail of In the wake of a negligent release law suit: An investigation of professional consequences and institutional impact on a state psychiatric hospital

Law and Human Behavior, 1992

Several staff members at a state psychiatric hospital were found negligent in a jury trial for ha... more Several staff members at a state psychiatric hospital were found negligent in a jury trial for having released a psychiatric patient who subsequently killed a member of the plaintiff's family. This study explored the impact of the law suit on the hospital staff members as individuals and on the functioning of the institution. Self-report measures revealed that both named defendants and nondefendant staff experienced symptoms of emotional disturbance associated with the litigation. Serf-report measures suggest that the law suit was not instructive in any meaningful way regarding improved procedures for subsequent release decision making. Archival data indicate that the staff did release significantly fewer patients during the trial and follow-up period than prior to the litigation. Results are discussed in the context of Wexler's concept of therapeutic jurisprudence. * This study was supported by a grant from the Research Grants Committee of the University of Alabama. The results are the opinions of the authors and do not reflect the opinions of the Research Grants Committee or the University of Alabama. We are indebted to Saleem Shah for his suggestions regarding methodology and particularly the need to investigate positive and instructive aspects of law suits. Request for reprints should be sent to

Research paper thumbnail of The Observed Witness Efficacy Scale: a measure of effective testimony skills

Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 2013

ABSTRACT Despite advances in the scientific methodology of witness testimony research, no sound m... more ABSTRACT Despite advances in the scientific methodology of witness testimony research, no sound measure currently exists to evaluate perceptions of testimony skills. Drawing on self-efficacy and witness preparation research, the present study describes development of the Observed Witness Efficacy Scale (OWES). Factor analyses of a mock jury sample yielded a two-factor structure (poise and communication style) consistent with previous research on witness self-ratings of testimony delivery skills. OWES subscales showed differential patterns of association with witness credibility, witness believability, agreement with the witness, and verdict decision. Juror gender moderated the impact of communication style, but not poise, on belief of and agreement with the witness. Results are discussed with attention to application of the OWES to witness research and preparation training.