Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2002. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI Company.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Toronto, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 103-106).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1998. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [81]-85).

No description available.

This dissertation measures the levels of trait-like and situational oral communication apprehension in jury bodies and provides some interpretation of these measurements on these bodies. By extending research on oral communication apprehension to juries, a clearer understanding of the impact of this phenomenon on specialized small groups is possible. Juries constitute a specialized small group because of the manner by which jurors are selected, the rules applying to their discussion of trial matters, their isolation from external influences during a trial, and their objective to determine a trial verdict for which they have personal impunity. Results of this study were obtained from analysis of data acquired from actual venire members and jurors in the Pima County Superior Court in Tucson, Arizona. The study uses a data collection instrument that is a modification of the Personal Report of Communication Apprehension-24 combined with the Situational Communication Apprehension Measure. This research determined that the overall trait-like oral communication apprehension level of venire members is below that normally found in other groups, whereas, the situational apprehension level of jurors is generally above that level found in nonjury small groups. This situational apprehension level varies considerably depending on the ethnicity of the individual venire member or jurors and the nature of the trial on which the juror is impaneled. The study further determined that certain factors normally associated with leadership role fulfillment appear to be altered inside the jury deliberation room. Jury service appears to serve as a motivational drive that lowers the fears and anxieties that high communication apprehensives associate with interactive speaking in small groups.

No description available.

The programme of research described in this dissertation examines the potential prejudicial impact of gruesome evidence on mock juror decision making. The dissertation provides a model of the cognitive and emotional processes by which gruesome evidence can influence mock juror judgments. Five studies will be presented which have examined the influence of gruesome verbal (written) and visual evidence. Four studies utilised mock trial or simulation methodology utilising written trial transcripts and undergraduate students as mock jurors. Results suggest that gruesome evidence can cause emotional reactions in mock jurors and that mock jurors who are exposed to gruesome evidence are more likely to find the defendant culpable (in criminal cases) and liable (in civil cases). The studies evaluated a model which outlines the cognitive and affective processes by which gruesome evidence might influence juror emotion and decision making. Gruesome evidence presented verbally, such as verbal descriptions of the victim??s injuries, may bias juror decisions toward conviction. Increased estimates of the guilt of the defendant may result when gruesome information is present, especially when the inculpatory evidence is weak overall. Photographic evidence, irrespective of whether this evidence is neutral or gruesome, can increase the likelihood of conviction. Admitting gruesome photographic evidence, rather than excluding this evidence, may increase the inculpatory value that jurors ascribe to prosecutorial evidence via the influence of gruesome evidence on the emotional state of jurors. Further, although exposure to any photographs had similar effects on mock juror affect, emotional reactions to gruesome photographic evidence appeared to lead to changes in the assessment of evidence and to an increased likelihood of conviction or liability when compared with neutral and no photographs. The implications of the results for policy, practice and research are discussed.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Rutgers University, 2009. / "Graduate Program in Psychology." Includes bibliographical references (p. 95-102).

The programme of research described in this dissertation examines the potential prejudicial impact of gruesome evidence on mock juror decision making. The dissertation provides a model of the cognitive and emotional processes by which gruesome evidence can influence mock juror judgments. Five studies will be presented which have examined the influence of gruesome verbal (written) and visual evidence. Four studies utilised mock trial or simulation methodology utilising written trial transcripts and undergraduate students as mock jurors. Results suggest that gruesome evidence can cause emotional reactions in mock jurors and that mock jurors who are exposed to gruesome evidence are more likely to find the defendant culpable (in criminal cases) and liable (in civil cases). The studies evaluated a model which outlines the cognitive and affective processes by which gruesome evidence might influence juror emotion and decision making. Gruesome evidence presented verbally, such as verbal descriptions of the victim??s injuries, may bias juror decisions toward conviction. Increased estimates of the guilt of the defendant may result when gruesome information is present, especially when the inculpatory evidence is weak overall. Photographic evidence, irrespective of whether this evidence is neutral or gruesome, can increase the likelihood of conviction. Admitting gruesome photographic evidence, rather than excluding this evidence, may increase the inculpatory value that jurors ascribe to prosecutorial evidence via the influence of gruesome evidence on the emotional state of jurors. Further, although exposure to any photographs had similar effects on mock juror affect, emotional reactions to gruesome photographic evidence appeared to lead to changes in the assessment of evidence and to an increased likelihood of conviction or liability when compared with neutral and no photographs. The implications of the results for policy, practice and research are discussed.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--North Carolina State University. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 77-80).