Courtney D
- Research Program Mentor
PhD at University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB)
Expertise
psychology, memory, decision-making, eyewitness testimony, cognitive neuroscience
Bio
I explore the intricacies of human memory and decision-making with a primary focus on understanding the free recall of rich episodic events and investigating the underlying mechanisms driving self-reported memory. Utilizing cognitive neuroscience methods, I delve into the neural components involved in these processes and develop interventions that improve recall accuracy and enhance beneficial decision-making for individuals. As an Associate Research Scholar at the Justice Collaboratory at Yale Law School, I work with an interdisciplinary group of scholars and researchers to bridge the gap between science and the legal system by promoting theory-driven, evidence-informed public policy. I firmly believe that collaboration between scientists, legal actors, and policymakers will ensure that research insights are utilized to promote fairness, accuracy, and justice in the legal system.Project ideas
Exploring the Dark Triad's Influence on Eyewitness Memory Accuracy
Project Overview: This project investigates the potential link between Dark Triad personality traits—narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism (Paulhus & Williams, 2002)—and the accuracy of eyewitness memory. The Dark Triad is often associated with manipulative behaviors, self-centeredness, and a lack of empathy, traits that could influence memory recall under stressful or pressured conditions (e.g., during a crime scenario). Students will examine if individuals with higher scores on the Dark Triad traits scale have differences in recall accuracy, susceptibility to suggestion, or confidence in memory reports compared to those with lower scores. Skills and Knowledge Gained: Understanding Personality and Memory: Familiarity with the Dark Triad personality traits and their measurement (using the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen scale) and explore theories behind episodic memory and eyewitness testimony. Research Design and Methodology: Learn to develop and implement a survey-based research design, including participant recruitment, administering personality tests, and using memory recall tasks. Data Collection and Analysis: Gain basic skills in statistical data collection, organization, and interpretation (e.g., understanding mean scores, confidence levels, and error rates in memory recall). Application to Legal Psychology: Explore implications of personality traits in real-world contexts, specifically in the reliability of eyewitness testimony, which can be crucial in legal cases. Potential Student Outcomes: Written Research Report: A short research report summarizing methods, data, and findings. Presentation: A 5-10 minute presentation outlining the research question, methods, results, and implications.
Public Trust in AI for Legal Decisions
Overview: This project investigates public trust in AI tools used for legal decisions, such as bail recommendations, sentencing guidelines, or risk assessments. With AI increasingly used in the legal field, public trust is crucial for the acceptance and effectiveness of these tools. The project focuses on creating a survey to assess public opinions on AI in the legal system, specifically looking at factors that affect trust—like transparency, fairness, and accountability—and examining how procedural justice concerns might shape these perceptions. Skills Gained: Survey Design: Learn how to design effective survey questions and structure a survey to gather relevant and unbiased data. Data Analysis: Gain experience in basic data analysis, including organizing responses and identifying trends. Understanding Public Perception of AI: Explore how people view AI in legal contexts and what concerns they have regarding fairness, transparency, and justice. Ethical Reasoning and Procedural Justice: Understand the ethical concerns related to AI use in the legal system and how procedural justice principles influence trust. Potential Student Outcomes: Written Report: A formal research report summarizing survey findings, analysis, and recommendations. Presentation: A slideshow or poster highlighting key findings and implications, suitable for presenting to classmates, teachers, or community groups. Real-World Applications and Extensions: Policy Implications: The findings could inform policymakers on public concerns about AI in the legal field and help guide ethical guidelines. Educational Campaigns: Use the results to create educational materials aimed at informing the public about AI’s role in legal systems.