Explore jury decision making in criminological psychology, including defendant characteristics, stereotypes, mock juries, evidence interpretation and factors affecting verdicts.
Assess the effect of pre-trial publicity as a factor that influences jury decision-making.
AO1 (4 marks), AO3 (4 marks)
AO1
- Pre-trial publicity is reports about the crime that took place that are
published in the public domain on social media, newspapers or the
radio before a case goes to trial.
- To test the effects of pre-trial publicity on jury-decision making
psychological research has often utilised mock juries and replicated
trials for the investigation process.
- High profile cases are often more newsworthy due to public interest
and media values, so they are often reported more widely in the
press and social media than every-day criminal cases.
- The credibility of a defendant or victim may be reported in either a
negative or positive way by the media in any pre-trial publicity.
AO3
- Steblay et al. (1999) found a significant effect of pre-trial publicity
on judgements about the defendant, suggesting that negative
information about a defendant and crime can lead to an increased
likelihood of a guilty verdict when juries make their decisions.
- In mock jury research there is no real impact from the decision so
it may not reflect real life where jurors consider a range of issues
when sentencing a defendant, so research may not reflect the
actual impact of pre-trial publicity on decisions made in courts.
- During a trial jurors are requested to disregard pre-trial publicity
and are not allowed to research the case during the trial, therefore
there may not be any effect of publicity on a decision, regardless of
whether it is a high profile or low profile case.
- Ruva and McEvoy (2008) found that the perception of a defendant's
credibility was higher when pre-trial publicity had been positive, so
the impact could lead to jurors making both lenient or harsh
decisions about the defendant's guilt.
Look for other reasonable marking points.
(8)
\begin{tabular}[t]{|l|l|l|}
\hline Level
Mark
Descriptor
AO1 (4 marks), AO3 (4 marks)
Candidates must demonstrate an equal emphasis between knowledge and
understanding vs assessment/conclusion in their answer.
0
No rewardable material.
Level 1
1-2
Marks
Demonstrates isolated elements of knowledge and understanding.
(AO1)
Generic assertions may be presented. Limited attempt to address the
question. (AO3)
Level 2
3-4
Marks
Demonstrates mostly accurate knowledge and understanding. (AO1)
Candidates will produce statements with some development in the form
of mostly accurate and relevant factual material, leading to a generic or
superficial assessment being presented. (AO3)
Level 3
5-6
Marks
Demonstrates accurate knowledge and understanding. (AO1)
Arguments developed using mostly coherent chains of reasoning
leading to an assessment being presented which considers a range of
factors. Candidates will demonstrate understanding of competing
arguments/factors but unlikely to grasp their significance. The
assessment leads to a judgement but this may be imbalanced. (AO3)
Level 4
7-8
Marks
Demonstrates accurate and thorough knowledge and understanding.
(AO1)
Displays a well-developed and logical assessment, containing logical
chains of reasoning throughout. Demonstrates an awareness of the
significance of competing arguments/factors leading to a balanced
judgement being presented. (AO3)
WPS03 June 2106 \\ HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY