Reaching a Verditct - Stages in Decision making, Hastie - Flashcards in A Level and IB Psychology

Created by: sali97
Created on: 31-05-16 01:22

Study

Hastie set up a mock trial about a fictional case. The mock jurors were divided into 3 conditions: the groups had to either reach a unanimous decision (12-0), a majority verdict (10-2), or a divided verdict (8-4). All the groups were videotaped.

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1 -

Orientation: the jurors are relaxed and there is an open discussion about the evidence and they all take a vote. People feel free to have their say, questions are raised, and opinion start to arise.

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2 -

Open Confrontation: the debate turns fierce and jurors start arguing about small details. They put themselves in the shoes of the victim/suspect in order to understand their reasons. There is intense pressure on the minority to conform.

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3 -

Reconciliation: Once the group decision is established, the pressure drops. People who were in conflict try to smooth things over and humour is used to release the tension

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Brief background

The aim of jurors is to reach a unanimous verdict. If after a long deliberation and a unanimous verdict appears to be unlikely, the judge may instruct the jury to reach a majority verdict (10-2).

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Another Study, Kalven and Zeisel

They found that, of 215 juries that had a majority opinion at the start, only 6 changed their mind to adopt a minority's opinion by the end. This supports Hasties model (majority opinion forms quickly in a jury and tends to determine final verdict)

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Leniency Bias

the longer the discussion goes on, the more likely the jury comes up with a ''not guilty'' verdict. Becuase of this, the judge is allowed to change the rules if the jury cannot come to a unanimous decision, allowing them to come to a majority verdict

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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

1 -

Back

Orientation: the jurors are relaxed and there is an open discussion about the evidence and they all take a vote. People feel free to have their say, questions are raised, and opinion start to arise.

Card 3

Front

2 -

Back

Card 4

Front

3 -

Back

Card 5

Front

Brief background

Back

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Reaching a Verditct - Stages in Decision making, Hastie