Reaching a verdict

• Each juror needs to make sense of the information they are presented with so they can decide a verdict
• jury retire to deliberation room where they will follow a process to help them come to a decision

• 1) appoint a foreperson- they are in charge and sit at top of table
• 2) initial vote to establish jury views- secret ballot/raise hands
• 3) Evidence review
• 4) Application of the law to the evidence and deliberation begins-Based on judges instructions

• Opinions of the majority are hugely influential in final decision made by the jury
• many people believe that group majority has emotional impacts for individuals, the experience of being in a minority can create anxiety whilst the experience of being part of a majority can create a sense of belonging
• group decisions are usually more extreme than individual ones
• the shift to a more extreme decision is called the 'risky shift' this may be due to the 'need to belong' 
• large impact on those with low self-esteem who are insecure about their opinion- want to belong and be accepted
• more ambiguous the situation the more likely people will go with the majority
• research with 225 juries shows that a guilty verdict was gained 86%  of the time when majority view at the begining was guilty 

• believed that if minority is consistent they can be very persuasive
• Moscovici believes that its the consistency of the minority view that eventually forces members of the majority to take it seriously 
• Consistency creates the impression of certainty, confidence and an uncomprimising attitude that when combined with an internal locus of control can cause  the minority to be a powerful influence

Locus of Control

• external locus of control- they consider events as happening outside of their control and are more likely to attribute responsibilty and blame to powerful others, situation or luck 
• internal locus of control- Tend to attribute responsibilty to their own intentions, personality or behaviour and often blame themselves for events. More likely to be able to resist conforming 

'story model'

Evaluation

usefulness- potential jurors may be more aware of factors affecting decisions therefore may nnot be as pressured by the situation

determinism- stages that jurors go through and their schemas determine their decisions 

Individual differences-  schemas are used to make decisions and these are based on past experiences and knowledge which differs for each juror