Question 1

How does the mathematical model of jury decision making differ from the story model of jury decision making?

Accepted Answer

•The mathematical model assumes a sort o...

Question 2

Expert witnesses are individuals that present testimony in court. All of the following is true about expert witnesses, EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)   They usually help the jurors make sense of complex evidence.
B)   Their testimony is based on their specialized training or knowledge.
C)   Expert testimony is most influential when presented clearly.
D)   Most experts who testify in court do so for free (pro bono) .

Question 3

With regard to research on inadmissible evidence, which one of the following statements is INCORRECT?

Accepted Answer

A)   Jurors disregard inadmissible evidence when they think it is irrelevant or unfair.
B)   If the judge fails to explain clearly why the evidence should be disregarded, jurors may be more likely to take it into account.
C)   Jurors are reluctant to disregard inadmissible evidence when they consider it useful.
D)   The judge's instructions to disregard inadmissible evidence have no effect on jurors' decisions.

Question 4

When jurors employ a "mental meter" to weigh the evidence towards guilt or innocence, they are assumed to be using a:

Accepted Answer

A)   story model.
B)   mental meter model.
C)   mathematical model.
D)   historical model. C

Question 5

Some legal scholars have been advocating for a system of professional jurors who can understand the complex evidence presented in court and know the law related to each case. However, there are some serious problems with this potential system. Which one of the following is NOT among these problems?

Accepted Answer

A)   It is not clear what course of studies professional jurors should complete to prepare for their jobs.
B)   Lots of money is needed to cover the professional jurors' salaries.
C)   Over time, professional jurors are likely to become friends with some lawyers or judges, which could bias their opinions.
D)   With time and extensive experience, professional jurors can become more jaded and conviction-prone.

Question 6

Research evidence suggests that, when judges and juries disagree, all of the following is true, EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)   Juries are more lenient than judges in less serious cases like shoplifting or marijuana possession.
B)   Judges are more likely than juries to rule in favor of injured plaintiffs in civil trials.
C)   The jurors' understanding of complex evidence is just as good, or maybe even better, than the judges' understanding.
D)   Such disagreements between judges and juries never happen.

Question 7

During the jury deliberation process, two distinct styles are evident. Some juries adopt a(n)  _____ style, while other juries choose a(n)  _____ style.

Accepted Answer

A)   verdict-driven; evidence-driven
B)   verdict-driven; leniency-based
C)   evidence-driven; reactance-based
D)   evidence-driven; reconciliation-based

Question 8

When jurors change their minds because they are persuaded by the compelling arguments of other jurors, this phenomenon is also referred to as:

Accepted Answer

A)   open conflict.
B)   informational influence.
C)   normative influence.
D)   leniency bias. B

Question 9

Studies show that a judge's instruction to ignore certain information as inadmissible evidence may often lead to the opposite: the effect of this information on the jurors is amplified. The text mentions all of the following explanations as possible reasons for this effect, EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)   When people make an effort to disregard something, it ironically dominates their thoughts.
B)   Jurors may see the judge's instruction as impinging on their freedom to make decisions.
C)   Whether jurors give weight to the evidence depends on their knowledge of the defendant.
D)   If jurors consider the information useful in reaching the verdict, they will use it.

Question 10

According to the text, it is useful to think of a trial as a _____ to help a jury or judge _____.

Accepted Answer

A)   method of providing information; arrive at a decision in the case
B)   method of providing information; determine the strength of evidence
C)   process of invention; arrive at a decision in the case
D)   process of invention; determine the strength of evidence

Question 11

All of the following statements are true about hung jury, EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)   Non-unanimous juries are less likely to "hang" than unanimous ones.
B)   Hung juries are more likely in big cities with diverse populations.
C)   When the law is perceived as complex or unfair, hung juries are less likely.
D)   If jurors adopt a verdict-driven style of deliberation and vote early, the jury may "hang".

Question 12

For centuries, English law dictated that a jury should have _____ people. In the United States, the minimum constitutionally allowed number of jurors currently is _____.

Accepted Answer

A)   12; 6
B)   6; 12
C)   6; 8
D)   8; 12 A

Question 13

When an expert witness is presenting a testimony that is _____, the strength of expert's credentials is _____.

Accepted Answer

A)   very complex; especially important
B)   relevant for the case; often doubted
C)   less complex; extremely important
D)   critical to the case; irrelevant

Question 14

Interestingly, if a defendant is severely injured in the course of committing a crime, jurors are more likely to:

Accepted Answer

A)   hand down a harsh sentence.
B)   hand down a lenient sentence.
C)   disagree with the judge about a sentence.
D)   agree with the judge about a sentence.

Question 15

According to the text, juries that require unanimity to reach a decision, deliberate _____, and are also more likely to _____ than majority-rule juries.

Accepted Answer

A)   faster; consider evidence carefully
B)   longer; hang
C)   in closed quarters; allow videotaping of the deliberation process
D)   faster; hang

Question 16

Which one of the following states requires judges to pre-instruct juries?

Accepted Answer

A)   Arizona.
B)   California.
C)   New Mexico.
D)   New York.

Question 17

According to the story model, jurors construct their stories _____ the evidence at trial.

Accepted Answer

A)   before they are exposed to
B)   while hearing
C)   several days after hearing
D)   regardless of

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a stage in the deliberation process?

Accepted Answer

A)   Orientation.
B)   Closed conflict.
C)   Open conflict.
D)   Reconciliation.

Question 19

Juries are unusual groups of people performing unusual tasks. Which of the following statements is INCORRECT about juries?

Accepted Answer

A)   Juries consist of people who most likely don't know each other and have little in common.
B)   During the trial, jurors only observe but cannot ask any questions from witnesses.
C)   Jurors have to leave their house and live in a hotel for the duration of the trial.
D)   Jurors are expected to suspend judgment until all relevant evidence has been presented.

Question 20

In the context of inadmissible evidence in a courtroom, a judge may rule that certain information should be disregarded by the _____. However, when told not to think about something, we often do the exact opposite and cannot get that thought out of our heads. This phenomenon is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

A)   jurors; ironic processes
B)   jurors; the story model
C)   media; ironic processes
D)   media; the story model

Exam 12: Juries and Judges As Decision Makers

How does the mathematical model of jury decision making differ from the story model of jury decision making?

Correct Answerverified•The mathematical model assumes a sort o...View AnswerShow Answer

Expert witnesses are individuals that present testimony in court. All of the following is true about expert witnesses, EXCEPT:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

With regard to research on inadmissible evidence, which one of the following statements is INCORRECT?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

When jurors employ a "mental meter" to weigh the evidence towards guilt or innocence, they are assumed to be using a:

Correct AnswerverifiedC

Some legal scholars have been advocating for a system of professional jurors who can understand the complex evidence presented in court and know the law related to each case. However, there are some serious problems with this potential system. Which one of the following is NOT among these problems?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Research evidence suggests that, when judges and juries disagree, all of the following is true, EXCEPT:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

During the jury deliberation process, two distinct styles are evident. Some juries adopt a(n) _____ style, while other juries choose a(n) _____ style.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

When jurors change their minds because they are persuaded by the compelling arguments of other jurors, this phenomenon is also referred to as:

Correct AnswerverifiedB

Studies show that a judge's instruction to ignore certain information as inadmissible evidence may often lead to the opposite: the effect of this information on the jurors is amplified. The text mentions all of the following explanations as possible reasons for this effect, EXCEPT:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

According to the text, it is useful to think of a trial as a _____ to help a jury or judge _____.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

All of the following statements are true about hung jury, EXCEPT:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

For centuries, English law dictated that a jury should have _____ people. In the United States, the minimum constitutionally allowed number of jurors currently is _____.

Correct AnswerverifiedA

When an expert witness is presenting a testimony that is _____, the strength of expert's credentials is _____.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Interestingly, if a defendant is severely injured in the course of committing a crime, jurors are more likely to:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

According to the text, juries that require unanimity to reach a decision, deliberate _____, and are also more likely to _____ than majority-rule juries.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which one of the following states requires judges to pre-instruct juries?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

According to the story model, jurors construct their stories _____ the evidence at trial.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following is NOT a stage in the deliberation process?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Juries are unusual groups of people performing unusual tasks. Which of the following statements is INCORRECT about juries?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

In the context of inadmissible evidence in a courtroom, a judge may rule that certain information should be disregarded by the _____. However, when told not to think about something, we often do the exact opposite and cannot get that thought out of our heads. This phenomenon is referred to as:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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During the jury deliberation process, two distinct styles are evident. Some juries adopt a(n) _ style, while other juries choose a(n) _ style.

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According to the text, it is useful to think of a trial as a _ to help a jury or judge _.

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For centuries, English law dictated that a jury should have _ people. In the United States, the minimum constitutionally allowed number of jurors currently is _.

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When an expert witness is presenting a testimony that is _, the strength of expert's credentials is _.

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According to the text, juries that require unanimity to reach a decision, deliberate _, and are also more likely to _ than majority-rule juries.

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