Developing a Sense of (In)Justice

• In Event: Perceptions of Injustice

Abstract

Theoretical and empirical research has stressed the importance of procedural justice on general cooperation with the "law". Given this significance, it is unfortunate that very little research has examined how perceptions of procedural justice are formed. This research seeks to determine how people form their perception of procedural justice. Drawing upon the work of Tyler (2006) and colleagues as well psychological and deterrence literatures, arguably perceptions of procedural justice are derived from four elements: personal experiences, vicarious experiences, historical factors and individual emotionality. Furthermore, perceptions of procedural justice are likely to be malleable overtime and follow a Bayesian Learning/Updating process. These assertions are tested using data from the Pathways to Desistance Study. This sample of serious adolescent offenders was selected for two reasons. First, adolescent attitudes are just beginning to form and are much more malleable compared to adults. Second, a sample of adolescent offenders was selected given that they and their peers are more likely to have contacts with agents of the justice system and update perceptions of procedural justice compared to a conventional sample of adolescents who likely have fewer contacts with justice officials.

Author

• Megan Bears Augustyn, University of Texas at San Antonio