Perceptions of false confessions: Reducing prejudice toward exonerees through the use of educational materials

Abstract

Educational campaigns are commonly used for prejudice reduction (Levy Paluck & Green, 2009). We were interested if educational campaigns, such as those used by innocence organizations, were successful in reducing prejudice toward exonerees. In particular, we examined whether prejudice toward an individual who falsely confessed could be reduced through watching educational videos (personal story video and/or fact based video) about false confessions and wrongful conviction. Participants who watched the personal story video rated the exoneree as significantly less responsible for his wrongful conviction than participants who did not watch the personal story video. The two different videos interacted to impact willingness to assist the exoneree and attitudes toward the exoneree. The findings are discussed within the context of Allport’s contact hypothesis and explore the implications for exonerees who falsely confess.