Cowley, M., & Colyer, J. B.2014-05-092014-05-092010Cowley, M., & Colyer, J. B. (2010). Asymmetries in prior conviction reasoning: truth suppression effects in child protection contexts. Psychology, Crime & Law, 16(3), 211-231.http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/Delivery.cfm/SSRN_ID2339476_code1728300.pdf?abstractid=2339476&mirid=1http://hdl.handle.net/11212/1382In three empirical studies we examined how people reason about prior convictions in child abuse cases. We tested whether the disclosure of similar prior convictions prompts a mental representation or an additive probative value (Criminal Justice Act, 2003). Asymmetrical use of similar priors were observed in three studies. A pilot study showed that disclosure of a second prior did not contribute a weight equivalent to that of the first disclosure. Study 1 showed jurors did not see left-handed evidence (i.e. matching victim bruising) as more indicative of guilt than right-handedness unless a prior conviction was present, and the presence of priors suppressed the generation of alternative possibilities indicative of innocence. Study 2 showed that disclosure did not decrease community ratings of reoffending propensity and dangerousness as much as a similar prior conviction increased them. We consider the results in the context of a new psychological theory of prior conviction bias and the consequences for the implementation of Section 100 of the Criminal Justice Act (2003).child abuseperpetratorscourtlegal proceedingsreoffendersArticle