1984/01/01 by Tom R. Tyler · 368 citations
Psychology · Social Sciences · #Criminology #Deception detection and forensic psychology #Injustice #Jury Decision Making Processes #Law #Political science #Psychology #Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies #Social psychology
paper · doi:10.2307/3053480
published in Law & Society Review 18(1), 51-74 (Cambridge University Press)
openalex publication_date 1984/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25
The purpose of this study is to explore the role of perceived injustice in generating dissatisfaction with legal authorities. Using data collected in interviews with a sample of defendants in traffic and misdemeanor court, I compare the influence of case outcomes upon attitudes toward judges and courts to that of distributive and procedural justice. The results suggest that among the defendants studied the major determinant of satisfaction with legal authorities is perceived fairness. Once the influence of perceived fairness is considered, case outcomes explain no additional variation in attitudes toward courts and judges. In the conclusion, possible implications of this finding are discussed.