W10 Juries and Group Decision Making Flashcards
Why is it important to study juror and jury decision-making?
Juries play a central role in the criminal justice system, acting as finders of fact and reflecting the community’s conscience.
What is jury nullification?
The process by which jurors can choose not to enforce a law they believe is unjust, reflecting equity in the legal system.
What are some controversial jury decisions mentioned in the lecture?
Liebeck vs. McDonald’s (hot coffee) and Barretto vs. NY Board of Education (educational discrimination).
How many jurors typically serve, and what are the variations in verdict rules?
Jurors can range from 6 to 12, and verdict rules vary by state, including requirements for unanimous or simple majority verdicts.
What are common arguments in favor of juries?
Juries represent the population, reflect public opinion, are composed of laypeople for commonsense assessments, and provide a safeguard against unjust laws.
What are some common criticisms of juries?
Juries may not be randomly selected, can struggle with complex issues, and are subject to biases and external pressures.
What is group polarization in the context of jury decision-making?
The phenomenon where discussion among jurors strengthens the dominant viewpoint, potentially leading to more extreme positions.
What mechanisms contribute to group polarization?
Persuasive arguments (majority arguments are repeated and elaborated) and normative influence (desire for social approval).
What does conformity mean in jury settings?
A change in behavior due to real or imagined group pressure, which can influence individual jurors’ decisions.
What factors drive individuals to conform?
Goals of affiliation (wanting to be liked) and goals of accuracy (seeking consensus to form an accurate impression).
How can minorities influence jury decision-making?
By being consistent, confident, and causing defections from the majority, which can challenge the perception of unanimity.
What is the difference between change of decision and change of decision process?
Change of decision involves a new verdict, while change of decision process involves considering alternatives and encouraging critical thinking.
What was the significance of Williams v. Florida (1970)?
The Supreme Court upheld the use of smaller juries, arguing that the ratio of majority to minority influence remains consistent regardless of jury size.
What are some research methodologies used to study jury decision-making?
Non-experimental methodologies (archival data, shadow juries) and experimental methodologies (mock-jury simulations).
What are the strengths and weaknesses of using archival data to study juries?
Strengths include ecological validity; weaknesses involve lack of control over variables and challenges in establishing causality.
