Jury Decision-Making
By: Amanda Moore
&
What is it ?
“a communication process that sometimes develops when members of a group begin thinking similarly, greatly
reducing the probability that the group will reach an effective decision” ( Infante, Rancer, &
Avtgis, 2009).
ed
Irving L. Janis
It affects the courtroom
Because of…Conformity
Self-Censorship Mind-Guards
“members who protect the majority group from information that is contradictory to the group’s view and or decisions” ( Janis,1982, p. 244).
“Doubts and deviations from the perceived group consensus are not expressed” (Janis, 1982, p. 244)
“A type of group influence, a change in the individual brought about by pressure for the person to behave in a manner advocated by the group” (Infante, Rancer, Atvgis, 2009, p. 286).
So What?
“In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the
right to a speedy and
public trial, by an
impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witness against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.”
Criticism
Everyone’s individual voteshould be taken into consideration
Dissenters have power through the Minority Influence Theory (Nemeth, 2010).
If you are ever in this situation
Remember
Consider the Evidence
Avoid Conformity
Avoid Groupthink
Remember
Individual Majority
The
End
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