The JonBonet Ramsey case has received unbelievable media coverage in the United States since the crime was first reported. The recent arrest of John Mark Karr, who has confessed to the killing, has reignited the press firestorm. However, from the initial reports, skepticism has surrounded the confession, with many people waiting until DNA evidence proves he is the killer. The idea that someone would make a false confession in this manner is quite puzzling, and led NPR to give us this report about the nature of false confessions. Most false confessions are involuntary and are brought on by coercion, however some people make voluntary false confessions for secondary motives such as fame (a potential motive for Karr). Another view would be that Karr has some sort of psychological condition that makes him believe he did actually commit the crime. Regardless of the final result of this ordeal, I think it is fascinating to see the process of how public opinion on guilt or innocence is shaped via the media, and how something in the reporting of this case set off the gut instincts of people to become skeptical of the confession.

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    Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 24 Aug 2006
    Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.