Juror perceptions of witness credibility as a function of linguistic and nonverbal power
Issue Date
1992-05-31Author
Lisko, Karen Ohnemus.
Publisher
University of Kansas
Type
Dissertation
Degree Level
Ph.D.
Discipline
Communication Studies
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This item is protected by copyright and unless otherwise specified the copyright of this thesis/dissertation is held by the author.
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Show full item recordAbstract
While the effects of linguistic power on witness credibility in the courtroom as well as preliminary studies of the effects of nonverbal power on witness credibility have been studied, no research has focussed on manipulations of linguistic and nonverbal power together. For purposes of greater generalizability, the effect of different manipulations of linguistic power and nonverbal power in witness testimony is studied in this dissertation. Subjects viewed one of four videotaped versions of combined linguistic power/nonverbal power testimony and rated the witness's credibility. Through factor analysis and multivariate analysis of variance, the results showed that subjects rated the witness to be more credible in the following conditions: (1) when the witness used powerful linguistic/powerful nonverbal testimony versus powerless linguistic/powerless nonverbal testimony; (2) when the witness used powerful linguistic/powerful nonverbal testimony versus mixed testimonial styles; (3) when the witness used powerful nonverbal/powerless linguistic testimony versus powerless nonverbal/powerful linguistic testimony. Significant main effects were found for the powerful nonverbal condition. Preliminary gender findings suggest that the male witness was more credible overall. Interpretation of the findings, discussion of limitations of the study, and suggestions for further research are addressed.
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