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February 23, 2026Behavioral Sciences & the Law

Effect of Rape Myth Acceptance and Empathy Priming on Juror Decisions in a Mock Sexual Assault Trial

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Authors

JBJulie BlaisDBDaphne Bolduc

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Overview

Experiment reveals empathy manipulation does not improve juror verdicts influenced by rape myth acceptance.

Key Points

  • The study aimed to explore how rape myth acceptance and empathy influence juror decision-making.
  • Examined juror verdicts in a mock sexual assault trial using a subtle RMA scale.
  • Participants read trial transcripts with either empathy-inducing statements or objective instructions.
  • 260 Canadian citizens were recruited through Qualtrics.
  • Rape myth acceptance predicted the likelihood of not guilty verdicts.
  • Empathy manipulation failed to increase empathy for the complainant.
  • Participants showing evidence of RMA scored higher on self-reported RMA scales.

Cite This Study

Blais et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/699ba08472792ae9fd8702b4https://doi.org/10.1002/bsl.70050
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Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1When myths shape verdicts: A theory and intervention for jury biases against victim-survivors in rape trials2026 · 2 citations
  2. 2Intimate Partner Rape and Juror Decisions:Do rape myths still influence verdict outcomes when the defendant is an ex-partner?2026
  3. 3Unveiling Bias: The Impact of Male Rape Myths and Stereotypes on Juror Verdicts in Male‐on‐Male Rape Trials2026 · 1 citations
  4. 4Stranger Rape or Impromptu Consensual Sex? Investigating Mock Juror Decision‐Making in a Genuine Contested Rape Trial2025 · 2 citations
  5. 5Rape Myth Acceptance in the Criminal Justice System: Do Criminal Justice Decision-Makers Endorse Rape Myths?2025 · 3 citations