Direct and indirect social influence on children's legal judgments

Attempted to replicate the recent indirect influence phenomenon (H. D. Saltzstein et al, with children and to demonstrate that direct influence declines with age while indirect influence increases with age. 176 3rd-8th graders from 2 parochial schools were required to make prison-sentence judgments based on tape recordings of 2 specially prepared criminal cases. Experimental Ss made initial judgments about sentence length in Case 1, were informed of the judge's sentence of 11 yrs and 6 mo, and made final decisions about sentence length. Experimental Ss then made decisions about sentence length for Case 2, were informed of the judge's sentence of 11 yrs 6 mo, and made final decisions about sentence length. Controls also made initial and final judgments for both cases but were not apprised of the judge's decision in either. Change from the initial to final sentence in Case 1 was the direct influence measure, while change from the initial sentence in Case 1 and Case 2 was the indirect influence measure. Data analysis revealed that there was a significant decline in direct influence with grade but no difference in indirect influence. Further research contrasting tests of indirect influence where the S either does or does not anticipate encounters with an influence agent is suggested.