A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

What was one of the characteristics of the actors in Dixon et al's study?

1. A middle-aged female suspect

2. A middle-aged male inspector

3. A young female victim

4. A middle-aged male judge

The correct answer is: A middle-aged male inspector

In Dixon et al.'s study, one of the characteristics of the actors was that a middle-aged male inspector was portrayed. This choice is significant because the research focused on how various factors, including the perceived characteristics of individuals involved in a legal context, such as the inspector, could influence jury decisions and perceptions of guilt. The portrayal of an inspector can serve to highlight authority and competence in the legal system, which might affect participants' judgments. The other options, while they may depict individuals in a similar setting, do not align with the specific focus of the study, which was predominantly concerned with the influence of an inspector-like authority figure portrayed by a middle-aged male. Understanding this context is crucial, as it sheds light on how gender and age can impact societal perceptions, especially in judicial environments.