The effects of British and American trial procedures on the quality of juror decision-making.
Compared to American trial procedures, British procedures provide a less distracting environment in which jurors can process trial evidence. Relying on theories of persuasion, it was predicted that jurors viewing British procedures would be less affected by extra-evidentiary cues and would be more sensitive to evidence strength variations than jurors in American trials. Participants (N = 245) viewed a mock trial in which trial procedure, judge's nonverbal behavior, and evidence strength were varied. Participants judged the British procedures to be more civil and fair than American procedures but were less likely to find for the plaintiff. Although jurors recalled more trial facts when they viewed British procedures, they were not more sensitive to variations in evidence strength. There was some evidence that British procedures may increase the influence of judge's nonverbal behavior on juror judgments. The relative benefits of different trial procedures are discussed.
Collett
Marisa E
ME
Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33199, USA. marisa_collett@yahoo.com
Kovera
Margaret Bull
MB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003257:Consumer Product Safety / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007600:Judgment; D033222:Judicial Role; D016365:Liability, Legal; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009633:Nonverbal Communication; D010379:Peer Group; D015144:Southeastern United States; D006113:United Kingdom