Josephine is sitting on a jury whose task is to decide whether or not to give the defendant a life sentence in prison. Most of the members of the jury feel the defendant can be rehabilitated and feel a twenty-year sentence would be appropriate. However, after listening to some of the members express their opinions about how detrimental prison life can be, the jury finally recommends a sentence of only ten years. In this case, which psychological principle may have shaped the opinion?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Group polarization refers to the tendency for a group to make decisions that are more extreme than the initial inclination of its members. In this case, the jury's decision shifted towards a more lenient sentence after group discussion.

Josephine Is Sitting on a Jury Whose Task Is to Decide