Jury Decision-Making: Uncover the Psychological Factors Behind Jury Verdicts

Question 1

Which of the following is a characteristic of a 'hung jury'?

Accepted Answer

The jury cannot reach a unanimous verdict on any charge

Answer

The jury is split evenly between guilty and not guilty on all charges

Answer

The jury has reached a verdict but cannot agree on the sentence

Answer

The jury has acquitted the defendant despite strong evidence of guilt

Question 2

What is the primary role of the jury foreperson?

Accepted Answer

To lead discussions, facilitate communication, and maintain order during deliberations

Answer

To represent the jury to the court and bailiff and relay messages

Answer

To ensure that jury instructions are followed and to keep track of time

Answer

To take notes and keep track of evidence presented during the trial

Question 3

The 'central route to persuasion' in jury decision-making involves jurors:

Accepted Answer

Carefully processing information and evaluating its validity

Answer

Being persuaded by emotional appeals and personal connections

Answer

Making decisions based on their initial gut reactions

Answer

Conforming to the majority opinion without considering their own views

Question 4

In the United Kingdom, juries in criminal cases must reach a unanimous verdict.

Accepted Answer

True

Answer

False

Question 5

Which of the following is a cognitive bias that can significantly influence jury decision-making, leading jurors to rely heavily on the initial information they receive?

Accepted Answer

Anchoring bias

Answer

Confirmation bias

Answer

Hindsight bias

Answer

Availability heuristic

Question 6

In the UK legal system, who is typically responsible for overseeing jury deliberations and leading the discussions?

Accepted Answer

The jury foreman

Answer

The judge

Answer

The prosecution attorney

Answer

The defense attorney

Question 7

What is the legal concept that allows juries to acquit a defendant, even if the evidence strongly suggests guilt?

Accepted Answer

Jury nullification

Answer

Jury discretion

Answer

Jury override

Answer

Jury veto

Question 8

How does the 'CSI effect' influence jury expectations and perceptions of forensic evidence?

Accepted Answer

It raises unrealistic expectations about the availability and reliability of forensic evidence

Answer

It leads juries to underestimate the complexity and limitations of forensic science techniques

Answer

It makes juries more likely to trust expert witnesses, even when their testimony is questionable

Answer

It encourages jurors to conduct their own independent investigations, potentially compromising the integrity of the trial

Question 9

What type of instructions, based on research findings, have been demonstrated as the most effective in minimizing juror partiality?

Accepted Answer

Specific guidelines highlighting potential biases

Answer

General instructions to uphold impartiality

Answer

Instructions to disregard evidence and rely on personal judgment

Answer

Instructions to conform to the majority opinion

Question 10

What is the primary responsibility of the jury foreperson?

Accepted Answer

To facilitate jury deliberations

Answer

To represent the jury to the judge

Answer

To determine the verdict

Answer

To investigate the case

Question 11

What is the significance of the presumption of innocence in jury decision-making?

Accepted Answer

The prosecution must demonstrate the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt

Answer

Jurors are required to start by assuming the defendant's guilt

Answer

Jurors are responsible for proving the defendant's innocence

Answer

It has no relevance to jury decision-making

Question 12

According to the 'fundamental attribution error', jurors are more likely to:

Accepted Answer

Attribute defendant behavior to personality traits

Answer

Attribute defendant behavior to situational factors

Answer

Consider both situational and personality factors equally

Answer

Ignore witness testimony

Question 13

What is the term for the tendency of jurors to perceive a defendant as more trustworthy and credible based on their physical attractiveness?

Accepted Answer

Halo effect

Answer

Horn effect

Answer

Primacy effect

Answer

Recency effect

Question 14

Which aspect of the 'juror as a scientist' model of decision-making emphasizes the objective evaluation of evidence by jurors?

Accepted Answer

Jurors gather and evaluate evidence impartially

Answer

Jurors consider both prosecution and defense arguments dispassionately

Answer

Jurors are immune to emotional appeals

Answer

Jurors reach decisions based solely on legal instructions

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a recognized cognitive bias that can influence jury decision-making?

Accepted Answer

Marshalling evidence

Answer

Confirmation bias

Answer

Hindsight bias

Answer

Groupthink

Question 16

According to the Elaboration Likelihood Model, which route to persuasion is characterized by high levels of conscious and deliberate cognitive processing?

Accepted Answer

Central route

Answer

Peripheral route

Answer

Heuristic route

Answer

Systematic route

Question 17

Which of the following factors can enhance the credibility of expert testimony in a jury trial?

Accepted Answer

Unbiased opinions and lack of conflicts of interest

Answer

Impeccable appearance and demeanor

Answer

Use of highly technical jargon

Answer

Personal anecdotes and emotional appeals

Question 18

The process by which jurors work together to reconcile their initial opinions and perspectives in order to reach a unanimous verdict is known as:

Accepted Answer

Jury deliberation

Answer

Social loafing

Answer

Group polarization

Answer

Cognitive dissonance

Question 19

According to research by Nisbett and Ross (1980), jurors tend to primarily attribute criminal behavior to:

Accepted Answer

Internal factors (e.g., personality, mental illness)

Answer

External factors (e.g., poverty, social conditions)

Answer

Both internal and external factors equally

Answer

Neither internal nor external factors

Question 20

Which of the following is a legal principle that allows jurors to disregard the instructions of the judge and reach a verdict based on their own beliefs and consciences?

Accepted Answer

Jury nullification

Answer

Jury misconduct

Answer

Jury tampering

Answer

Judicial review

Question 21

Which cognitive bias influences jury decision-making by leading jurors to rely heavily on easily accessible information, even if it is not necessarily relevant or accurate?

Accepted Answer

Availability heuristic

Answer

Representativeness heuristic

Answer

Confirmation bias

Answer

Hindsight bias

Question 22

Which of the following is an emotional factor that can influence jury verdicts by causing jurors to feel a connection to the victim and desire justice on their behalf?

Accepted Answer

Empathy for the victim

Answer

Fear of retaliation

Answer

Desire for closure

Answer

Group dynamics within the jury

Question 23

In the 'mock jury' research method, participants:

Accepted Answer

Read trial transcripts and deliberate in simulated courtrooms

Answer

Attend actual jury trials and observe proceedings

Answer

Conduct online surveys to gather opinions

Answer

Interview real jurors after trials

Question 24

Which of the following is a proposed reform to improve jury decision-making by providing jurors with a deeper understanding of the legal process and their role in it?

Accepted Answer

Mandatory jury training

Answer

Eliminating peremptory challenges

Answer

Increasing the size of juries

Answer

Providing jurors with access to expert testimony

Question 25

According to the 'ingroup-outgroup' effect, jurors are more likely to:

Accepted Answer

Find defendants not guilty if they belong to the same social group

Answer

Find defendants guilty if they belong to a different social group

Answer

Be lenient towards defendants who belong to their own gender

Answer

Be harsh towards defendants who belong to a different race

Question 26

Which of the following is NOT a stage in the jury deliberation process where jurors discuss the evidence, present their views, and attempt to reach a consensus?

Accepted Answer

Sentencing

Answer

Orientation

Answer

Discussion

Answer

Voting

Question 27

The 'jury nullification' doctrine allows jurors to:

Accepted Answer

Ignore the law and acquit a defendant they believe is innocent, even if the evidence suggests guilt

Answer

Convict a defendant even if the evidence is insufficient

Answer

Hold a new trial if they cannot reach a verdict

Answer

Dismiss a juror who is biased or disruptive

Question 28

The heuristics and biases framework suggests that juries make decisions using:

Accepted Answer

Mental shortcuts and cognitive biases

Answer

Logical reasoning and analytical thinking

Answer

Formal legal rules and procedures

Answer

Intuitive judgments and gut feelings

Question 29

A key difference between lay juries and expert juries is that:

Accepted Answer

Lay juries are selected from the general population, while expert juries are composed of professionals with relevant expertise.

Answer

Lay juries are more likely to be influenced by emotion, while expert juries are more objective.

Answer

Lay juries are less likely to be influenced by expert testimony, while expert juries are more likely to defer to experts.

Answer

Lay juries are more likely to reach unanimous verdicts, while expert juries are more likely to have dissenting opinions.

Question 30

The concept of 'jury nullification' refers to the:

Accepted Answer

Right of a jury to ignore the law and acquit a defendant they believe is innocent

Answer

Duty of a jury to follow the judge's instructions even if they disagree

Answer

Principle that jurors should only consider the evidence presented in court

Answer

Power of a jury to impose a sentence that is more severe than the one recommended by the prosecution

Question 31

Which of the following is a key principle of effective jury deliberation?

Accepted Answer

Jurors should consider all evidence and perspectives before reaching a verdict

Answer

The majority opinion should always prevail

Answer

Jurors should avoid discussing the case outside of the jury room

Answer

The judge should provide instructions on how to deliberate

Question 32

Which of the following has been empirically shown to increase the likelihood of a hung jury?

Accepted Answer

A complex and ambiguous case

Answer

A jury composed predominantly of highly educated individuals

Answer

A racially diverse jury

Answer

Clear and concise instructions provided by the judge

Question 33

Research in psychology has demonstrated that:

Accepted Answer

Leading questions during witness interviews can significantly distort memory

Answer

People are generally highly accurate in identifying faces

Answer

Memory remains highly reliable over extended periods

Answer

Alcohol consumption can enhance the accuracy of memory

Question 34

The primary role of the judge in jury decision-making is to:

Accepted Answer

Provide guidance on legal principles and procedures

Answer

Interpret the facts of the case for the jury

Answer

Influence the jury's verdict

Answer

Overturn the jury's verdict in cases of legal error

Question 35

The concept of 'jury nullification' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The jury's right to disregard the law and reach a verdict based on conscience

Answer

The jury's obligation to follow the law even if they personally disagree with it

Answer

The judge's power to overturn a jury verdict based on legal error

Answer

The process of selecting jurors for a specific trial

Question 36

According to the 'fundamental attribution error,' jurors are more likely to attribute a defendant's behavior to:

Accepted Answer

Internal factors, such as character traits and personality

Answer

External factors, such as situational influences and social pressures

Answer

Genetic predispositions

Answer

Societal influences

Question 37

Which of the following is NOT a crucial skill required for effectively evaluating jury research?

Accepted Answer

Expertise in legal procedures

Answer

Critical thinking abilities

Answer

Understanding of statistical principles

Answer

Knowledge of research design methodologies

Question 38

Which of the following is **not** a key cognitive factor influencing jury decision-making?

Accepted Answer

Motivation

Answer

Bias

Answer

Perception

Answer

Cognitive dissonance

Question 39

Which jury deliberation technique is designed to minimize the risk of premature closure?

Accepted Answer

Devil's advocate

Answer

Majority vote

Answer

Hung jury

Answer

Sequestration

Question 40

In the 'CSI effect', jurors are influenced by which type of information?

Accepted Answer

Media portrayals of crime investigation

Answer

Expert testimony

Answer

Forensic evidence

Answer

Personal experiences with crime

Question 41

According to the 'fundamental attribution error', jurors tend to overestimate the role of:

Accepted Answer

Internal factors (e.g., personality traits)

Answer

External factors (e.g., situational constraints)

Answer

Both internal and external factors equally

Answer

Neither internal nor external factors

Question 42

In jury decision-making, which cognitive bias is most likely to influence how jurors perceive witness testimony?

Accepted Answer

Confirmation bias: Tendency to seek or interpret information that supports existing beliefs

Answer

Hindsight bias: Tendency to overestimate one's ability to predict past events in retrospect

Answer

Fundamental attribution error: Tendency to attribute others' behavior to internal factors while overlooking situational factors

Answer

Availability heuristic: Tendency to rely on easily accessible information when making judgments

Question 43

According to the 'social loafing' hypothesis, how does the presence of additional jurors affect individual jury members' efforts?

Accepted Answer

Decreases individual effort due to diffusion of responsibility

Answer

Increases individual effort due to increased accountability

Answer

Has no effect on individual effort

Answer

Varies depending on factors such as jury size and task difficulty

Question 44

How does the 'juror's dilemma' influence jury decision-making?

Accepted Answer

Creates a conflict between personal beliefs and the duty to follow the law

Answer

Leads jurors to favor the prosecution to avoid guilt

Answer

Increases susceptibility to emotional appeals

Answer

Has no significant impact on jury decision-making

Question 45

Which cognitive bias, known to influence jury decision-making, leads jurors to overestimate the strength of evidence that supports their initial beliefs?

Accepted Answer

Confirmation bias

Answer

Anchoring bias

Answer

Hindsight bias

Answer

Framing effect

Question 46

The 'CSI effect' refers to the phenomenon where:

Accepted Answer

Jurors have unrealistic expectations of forensic evidence due to exposure to crime dramas and media

Answer

Jurors are more likely to convict defendants based on circumstantial evidence

Answer

Jurors are more likely to acquit defendants based on expert testimony

Question 47

The 'juror nullification' doctrine refers to:

Accepted Answer

The authority of jurors to acquit a defendant, even if they believe they are guilty, based on their conscience or moral beliefs

Answer

The right of jurors to convict a defendant even if they believe they are innocent

Answer

The right of jurors to disregard the judge's instructions

Question 48

Reforms aimed at improving jury decision-making have included:

Accepted Answer

Jury training programs and enhanced juror instructions

Answer

Eliminating the right to a jury trial

Answer

Reducing the number of jurors required for a verdict

Answer

Increasing the use of professional jurors