CrimNet Reading Group

The next CrimNet reading group will be held on Thursday 11 January 2018, meeting at V Bar, Vanburgh College (University of York)

The Reading for discussion will be 2013 article 'The Cross-Race effect and eyewitness identification: how to improve recognition and reduce decision errors in eyewitness situations' by John Paul Wilson, Kurt Hugenberg and Michael J. Bernstein.

Abstract: The Cross-Race Effect (CRE), whereby same-race faces are recognized more accurately than cross-race faces, is a well-replicated psychological phenomenon with clear social consequences. The area in which its influence is most visible is that of eyewitness misidentification. Since the advent of DNA testing, it has been revealed that scores of people have been wrongly imprisoned for crimes that they did not commit, and cross-race eyewitness misidentifications are a determining factor in a large percentage of these convictions. This article reviews existing perspectives on the causes of the CRE, including new work on the social cognitive underpinnings of the bias. Next, we make recommendations aimed at reducing the cross-race effect in eyewitness identification, both at the point of witnessing the crime and during the witness lineup. The goal of this work is to encourage policymakers to implement suggestions based on the current understanding of the causes and moderators of the CRE.

Full Citation: Wilson, J.P., Hugenberg, K., and Bernstein, M.J. (2013) 'The Cross-Race Effect and Eyewitness Identification: How to Improve Recognition and Reduce Decision Errors in Eyewitness Situations'. Social Issues and Policy Review 7(1) 83-113.

You can download this article from the Wiley online library here.

If you are interested in attending this event please contact Carol on the email address below.