The Effects of Registered Intermediaries on Youths' Perceived Credibility

Abstract

Undergoing cross-examination can be stressful; therefore, many countries offer testimonial supports to help vulnerable witnesses provide their best evidence (Eastwood & Patton, 2003; Righarts et al., 2013).  Across two experiments, I examined how RI interjections during the cross-examination of a complainant and accused youth impacted their perceived credibility. In Experiment 1, I examined whether improving question clarity through RI interjections influenced the youths’ perceived credibility. Participants (N = 357) read a four-page simulated court transcript in which youths’ either testified with an RI or without. If they testified with an RI, six questions were clarified. Participants then rated the youths’ credibility. No differences were found in the perceived credibility of either the complainant or the accused in the study conditions. In Experiment 2, the youths’ responses were also clarified through RI injections to examine if this impacted credibility. Participants (N = 277) read the same transcript as in Experiment 1 and rated the youths’ credibility. No differences were found in the perceived credibility of either the complainant or the accused in the study conditions. In general, across both experiments, it seemed the accused was perceived as less credible when they testified with an RI.