NCJ Number
48401
Journal
Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin Volume: 4 Issue: 1 Dated: (WINTER 1978) Pages: 155-160
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A SURVEY OF EMPIRICAL STUDIES IS USED AS THE BASIS FOR AN INFORMATION INTEGRATION THEORY ANALYSIS OF DECISIONMAKING. JURIES, POLITICAL DECISIONS, AND MORAL DECISIONS ARE STUDIED.
Abstract
INFORMATION INTEGRATION THEORY PROVIDES A FRAMEWORK FOR UNDERSTANDING THE JUDGMENT PROCESS ON BOTH THE CONCEPTUAL AND QUANTITATIVE LEVEL. FOR CRIMINAL TRIALS, THE INFORMATION DETERMINANTS ARE IDENTIFIED AS (1) THE DEFENDANT'S ABILITY TO COMMIT THE CRIME, (2) THE MOTIVE, AND (3) THE OPPORTUNITY. THE ELEMENTS IN A JURY TRIAL ARE THE EVIDENCE, THE DEFENDANT, THE ACTORS IN THE DRAMA (ATTORNEY, JUDGE, WITNESSES), AND THE JURORS. THE SUBJECTIVE IMPRESSIONS MADE BY THE ACTORS AND THE DEFENDANT CAN TIP THE BALANCE WHEN THE EVIDENCE ALONE IS INCONCLUSIVE. SEVERAL CONTROL STUDIES ARE CITED IN WHICH MOCK COURTROOM TRIALS WERE CONDUCTED. IN MARGINAL CASES, AGGRESSIVE OR IRRITATING BEHAVIOR ON THE PART OF THE DEFENDANT OR THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY LED TO CONVICTION WHILE SIMILAR IRRITATING BEHAVIOR ON THE PART OF THE PROSECUTION LED TO ACQUITTAL. THE APPEARANCE OF THE DEFENDANT HAS A SUBTLE INFLUENCE EVEN WHEN THE EVIDENCE IS STRONGLY FOR OR AGAINST CONVICTION. THIS INFLUENCE IS GREATER IN MARGINAL SITUATIONS. JUROR BIAS IS WEIGHTED. IN STRONG CASES JURORS ATTEMPT TO OVERCOME BIAS. IN MARGINAL CASES, BIAS PLAYS A STRONGER ROLE IN OUTCOME. IN POLITICAL CHOICES, THE FACTORS RELEVANT TO OUTCOME ARE THE CANDIDATES' GOALS, THE PROFESSED MEANS OF REACHING THOSE GOALS, AND THE PROBABLE CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALTERNATIVE MEANS. IN MORAL JUDGMENTS, THE INTENTIONS AND CONSEQUENCES ARE IMPORTANT. YOUNGER PEOPLE AND THOSE WHOSE REASONING PROCESSES ARE LESS MATURE TEND TO EMPHASIZE CONSEQUENCES WHILE OLDER PERSONS TEND TO LOOK AT INTENTIONS. A NUMBER OF STUDIES ARE CITED TO SUPPORT VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE THEORY. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS APPENDED. (GLR)