Juries may be more lenient when determining the innocence or guilt of individuals who appear attractive, sharply dressed, and well-mannered, because of the:
A) better-than-average effect.
B) confirmation bias.
C) representativeness heuristic.
D) availability heuristic.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The representativeness heuristic is a mental shortcut that involves making a probability judgment by comparing an object or event to a prototype of the object or event. In the context of jury decisions, if a defendant appears attractive, sharply dressed, and well-mannered, jurors might unconsciously associate these characteristics with innocence or being law-abiding, because these traits fit the prototype of a "good" or "innocent" person in their minds. This can lead to more lenient judgments.

Juries May Be More Lenient When Determining the Innocence or Guilt