An attributional sequence model of jury decision making in civil torts.
A jury simulation study was designed to replicate and extend prior research on attributional decision-making sequences in a litigation context. Although previous studies implicated injury severity, causality, responsibility, and punishment, a maximum of three stages in various combinations were tested, and only occasionally in the context of civil litigation. The present effort integrated all four stages into a more inclusive model focused on civil jury decision making. Undergraduate participants (N=91) read six case vignettes and responded to attribution questions in each of four categories. Path analyses supported the hypothesized 4-stage attributional sequence.
Spievak
Elizabeth R
ER
Department of Psychology, Bridgewater State College, 90 Burrill Ave., Bridgewater, MA 02325, USA. espievak@bridgew.edu
Bettler
Robert F
RF
D000328:Adult; D002961:Civil Rights / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D035881:Compensation and Redress / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007603:Jurisprudence; D016365:Liability, Legal; D008297:Male; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D008960:Models, Psychological; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities