Psy 270 Group Dynamics Presentation (Jury Deliberation) Sp11

Group Behavior in Small Groups:Jury Dynamics

Steve DluzneskiKelsey BlackburnVincent Ganzon

SMALL GROUP DYNAMICSAN INTRODUCTION TO TRIAL JURIES

What is a Jury?

• Definition of a jury

• History of juries

– Influence from the Magna Carta“A jury of one’s peers”

– Practice used in Britain and American colonies

Types of Juries• Juries act in various phases and

capacities in the justice system–Petit Jury

Most common form

–Grand Jury Charging vs. Investigating

–Coroner’s Jury Through the office of the medical examiner

How are jurors selected?

• Selection Methods– The names of possible jurors are selected by the court

from such sources as tax rolls, voting lists, and telephone directories.

– Voire Dire procedure

SMALL GROUP DYNAMICSJURY CHARACTERISTICS AND BEHAVIORS

Juries as “Small Groups”Juries as “Small Groups”• A citizens jury is a type of “small group”• Small group- a group “in which there is the

possibility of simultaneous face-to-face interaction among most or all members of the group.”

• Small groups are important for several reasons:– Range of ideas, opinions, and concerns– Consensus– Active participation and interaction– Promote sense of equality between members – Useful for deliberation of controversial issues– Increase efficiency and productivity of group

Overview of the Roles of a Citizens Jury Overview of the Roles of a Citizens Jury GroupGroup

– Central role of deliberative group processes • aim is to “obtain reasoned agreement among free

and equal citizens…by considering information from expert witnesses and by deliberating together on the merits of different opinions”

Task interdependence– each person’s contribution to the group has implications for other’s contributions, and ultimately affects the group outcome.

Jury roles continued..Jury roles continued..• What type of group task must a jury

accomplish?–Unitary –Additive– Intellective – Judgmental

Textbook page 185

Member CharacteristicsMember Characteristics• What are member characteristics?

– traits, skills, or abilities of individual group members.

• Why are they important?– Group performance as a WHOLE related to member

characteristics of group members– Potential group productivity=sum of all the

individual inputs • Composition Effects—

– Group composition has been known to affect the events that occur within group proceedings

Textbook page 189

Jury Selection & QualificationsJury Selection & Qualifications• Jury groups should be:

– Small – Diverse

• To qualify to be a juror, individuals must:– Bear no relation to defendant– Be of equal status and power– Be of voting age, and registered to vote~ 18 years or older– Be proficient in English– Have no mental or physical ailments– Not be currently subject to felony charges – Never have been convicted of a felony (unless civil rights

legally restored)

Decision SchemesDecision Schemes• Decision scheme– Predicts

how groups will combine individual opinions together to reach a consensus.– Majority wins– Unanimity

• US juries for criminal trials • “Beyond a reasonable doubt”• Discuss information more fully

Textbook page 193

Conformity to majority rule in mock Conformity to majority rule in mock jury trialsjury trials

p. 195

SMALL GROUP DYNAMICSA SPECIAL CASE: JURY DELIBERATIONS

What about studying group behavior in juries?

• Mock Juries (often referred to as “focus groups” in law schools)– Taking them seriously

• “People who participate in mock juries must be convinced that the case being presented is a real case with real consequences” – Dr. David Ball, national jury expert (specializes in mock juries)

– Mock Jury formation• Composition must be based on the true demographical information of the

particular venue (i.e., the county) in which the mock jury is being used – Dr. David Ball

– Presenting the case (from an interview with Dr. David Ball)• A “jury study”• Can present a whole trial (i.e., opening statements, witness/ victim testimony,

closing arguments/ summation) OR separate parts of the trial• The mock jury leaves to deliberate

– Returns a final “verdict” for the case– Mock jury deliberations often recorded (this is how the group dynamics are studied)

Studying group behavior: 12 Angry Men

12 Angry Men Jury Deliberation clip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTDhgR3p12w

So….What group dynamics concepts did

you see in the clip that we have discussed in class?

12 Angry Men/ Jurors:Summary of Some Group Behaviors

• Common fate and similarity of jurors (at least in the sense that they are all members of the jury being portrayed)– Two basic “requirements” for consideration as a group

• Stereotyping/ Prejudice (profound!)– “You know how these people lie!”– “And let me tell you, they don’t need a real big reason to kill someone, either!”– “They get drunk. They’re real big drinkers, all of them!”– “That’s the way they are, BY NATURE!”– “There’s a danger here! These people are dangerous!”

• Minority Influence– Man at beginning of clip attempts to persuade the rest to take his [prejudiced]

side

• Majority Influence– The rest of the jurors silence the [prejudiced] man

• Stand up from their chairs• Tell the man to sit down

THE END!!!!

THANK YOU!!!!

ReferencesReferences1) Blamey R.K., McCarthy P., Smith R. (2000). Citizens’ juries and

small-group decision making. Available from: http://cjp.anu.edu.au

2) Public Involvement Techniques for Transportation Decisionmaking [Internet]. US Department of Transportation– Federal Highway Administration. Available from: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/reports/pittd/smlgroup.htm

3) Stangor, C. (2004). Social groups in action and interaction. In: Sorrentino R., editor. Group decision making. New York: Psychology Press, p. 185-195.

4) The Function of and Qualifications for Jury Service. [Internet]. Available from: http://www.uscourts.gov/uscourts/EducationalResources/CourtroomsAsClassrooms/FuncQualJuryService.pdf