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Description: This study examined the effects of psycholegal knowledge on a mock jury decision-making task. Psycholegal knowledge was obtained by completion of a university course on psychology and law focusing on jury decision-making. It was predicted that psycholegal knowledge would enhance juror competence, motivation, and satisfaction with participation in the legal process. Mock jurors who had taken the course were compared with those who had not. Both groups were shown a videotape of a rape trial and participated in jury deliberations. Jurors trained in psycholegal knowledge voted for acquittal more often than those who were not. Additionally, trained jurors were more satisfied, were more confident that their jury reached a correct verdict, and believed more that their jury's decision was based on the evidence presented than did untrained jurors. Content analysis of jury deliberations found that trained jurors were more task oriented and focused on relevant evidence than untrained jurors. The feasibility of implementing a juror training program prior to jury service was discussed.
Suggested Citation:
Shaw, J.I., & Skolnick, P. (2005). Effects of Psycholegal Knowledge on Decision-Making by Mock Juries [Electronic Version]. Applied Psychology in Criminal Justice,
1(2), 90-109.
Keywords: jury decision-making, juror training, legal knowledge, law
Date: Sep 16, 2005 | File Size: 95.41 Kb | Downloads: 2782