Question 1

When comparing the effectiveness of jury selection, social scientists and lawyers appear to have different approaches. Social scientists rely on _____, whereas lawyers rely on _____.

Accepted Answer

According to the sentence, social scientists rely on data collection whereas lawyers rely on intuition. Therefore, the best choice is B.

Question 2

Mock juries benefit the trial lawyers when the actual trial and jury selection takes place because:

Accepted Answer

Mock juries can provide valuable insights into how a real jury might behave and can help trial lawyers identify potential biases and areas of focus for their arguments. Profiles developed through mock jury studies can guide the choices for the real case and help lawyers develop a strategy for jury selection.

Question 3

The _____ hypothesis predicts that, when the characteristics of jurors and the defendant are similar enough, it might influence verdicts.

Accepted Answer

The similarity-leniency hypothesis posits that when the defendant and jurors share similar characteristics, jurors are more likely to be lenient towards the defendant. Therefore, option C is the best choice as it fits the description provided in the question. Option A is incorrect as the concept of decision suspension is not related to the question. Option B and D are also incorrect as they do not capture the main idea of the similarity hypothesis.

Question 4

Among the traits noted as being associated with jurors' verdicts is how people tend to explain what happens to them, or how they answer the question: Are you mostly responsible for what happens to you? This trait is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Locus of control refers to the degree to which individuals believe they have control over the events that affect their lives or whether external factors beyond their control, like luck or fate, determine these events. This is relevant to jurors' verdicts, as those who have an internal locus of control are more likely to hold defendants accountable for their actions and less likely to attribute their behavior to external forces.

Question 5

Nicole is an attorney handling a high-profile case. Much rests with the decision of the jury in terms of damages that may be required of the defendant to pay. To help in the process, she decides to pull together a group that matches the demographics of the actual jury. The group is known as:

Accepted Answer

A shadow jury is a group of individuals selected to match the demographics of the actual jury that will be hearing the case. They observe the trial and then provide feedback to the attorney about how they believe the actual jury will react to the evidence presented. This can help the attorney better prepare and present their case. A mock jury is similar, but they are used to simulate the jury deliberation process in order to gauge potential outcomes. A trial jury is the actual jury selected to hear the case. A potential jury refers to individuals who could potentially be selected to serve on the jury, but have not yet been chosen.

Question 6

According to the text, research completed by Olczak, Kaplan, and Penrod (1991) revealed that seasoned lawyers performed _____ students when selecting favorable juries.

Accepted Answer

The research by Olczak, Kaplan, and Penrod (1991) found that seasoned lawyers performed no better than students when it came to selecting favorable juries.

Question 7

In terms of the burden of proof, in criminal cases, the standard of proof for a person to be found guilty is _____, whereas in a civil trial, the standard of proof is usually _____.

Accepted Answer

Beyond a reasonable doubt is the standard of proof required in criminal cases, meaning that the evidence presented must be so strong that there is no reasonable doubt that the accused committed the crime. In civil trials, the standard of proof is usually preponderance of the evidence, meaning that the evidence presented must show that it is more likely than not that the defendant is at fault.

Question 8

April displays conventional values, with relatively inflexible viewpoints, generally identifying with authority figures and finding weakness to be intolerable. One might consider her personality to be that of:

Accepted Answer

April's personality traits of identifying with authority figures and finding weakness intolerable fit the characteristics of an authoritarian personality.

Question 9

Pro bono is legal service:

Accepted Answer

Pro bono legal services are provided free of charge.

Question 10

According to the text, a jury of 12 or fewer is likely to:

Accepted Answer

The text suggests that a jury of 12 or fewer individuals may not be fully representative of a larger community due to the potential lack of diversity in its composition. Therefore, choice C is the best answer. Choice A is incorrect because the text does not indicate that the jury members share all cognizable characteristics. Choice B is also incorrect because the jury's views may not necessarily represent fully those of similar individuals, depending on the jury selection process. Choice D is incorrect because the text does not suggest that the jury is diverse enough to reflect all possible views.

Question 11

Mock jury studies show that specialized questionnaires _____ provide important information about juror characteristics and slightly improve predictions about a juror's voting on a verdict.

Accepted Answer

Specialized questionnaires that ask about jurors' attitudes towards the criminal justice system are likely to provide insights into how they might perceive evidence and arguments, thus slightly improving predictions about their voting on a verdict.

Question 12

In a high profile case, trial consultants are often hired. Trial consultants use a(n) _____ approach to jury selection.

Accepted Answer

Trial consultants use a data-driven approach to jury selection, which involves analyzing the demographics and past behaviors of potential jurors to predict how they might react to the case. This approach is based on research and statistical analysis, rather than intuition or experience. The use of parapsychology, which involves studying paranormal phenomena, is not a recognized or accepted method of jury selection.

Question 13

The biggest, most important benefit of having a shadow jury in place, according to the text, is that, because they will actually hear the same testimony as the actual jury, they can provide:

Accepted Answer

The text specifically states that the shadow jury can provide "critical feedback that allows attorneys to adjust strategies." This is the most important benefit of having a shadow jury in place. The other options listed may be potential benefits, but they are not the primary reason for using a shadow jury.

Question 14

It would appear as though there are some personality traits or tendencies that have some bearing on jury verdicts. According to the text, there are _____ traits that have been shown to be important predictors.

Accepted Answer

The text mentions that three traits have been shown to be important predictors of jury verdicts.

Question 15

Hannah is a trial consultant hired to assemble a shadow jury in a high-stakes trial. She may ask the shadow jury to perform all of the following tasks EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

It is not ethical for the shadow jury to observe actual jurors in the deliberation room. This could compromise the integrity of the jury and the trial process. The other options are legitimate tasks for a shadow jury to perform.

Quiz 6: Section 2: Child Sexual Abuse: Interviewing Children and the Recovered Memories of Adults

When comparing the effectiveness of jury selection, social scientists and lawyers appear to have different approaches. Social scientists rely on _, whereas lawyers rely on _.