When a judge dictates that certain evidence is to be ignored, jurors often feel that their freedom to choose to consider all evidence is threatened. Reactance theory suggests that this may motivate the jurors to consider the _____ evidence to a _____ degree when contemplating a verdict.

Question

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Reactance theory posits that when people feel their freedom to choose is threatened, they may be motivated to do the opposite of what they are told. Therefore, if a judge tells jurors to ignore certain evidence, reactance theory suggests they might be more inclined to consider that inadmissible evidence to a greater degree.

When a Judge Dictates That Certain Evidence Is to Be