Story model of juror decision-making

Definition

The story model of juror decision-making is a psychological framework that explains how jurors construct narratives to make sense of the evidence presented during a trial. This model emphasizes that jurors often create coherent stories from the facts, which influences their decisions and judgments about guilt or innocence. By organizing information into a narrative structure, jurors can better understand the complexities of a case, leading to more informed verdicts.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Jurors typically rely on the story model to organize evidence into a narrative that makes sense of the events in question, which can affect their overall understanding of the case.
2. The story model suggests that jurors are more likely to side with a narrative that resonates with their own experiences or values, highlighting the subjective nature of decision-making.
3. Factors such as emotional engagement with the story and the perceived credibility of witnesses can significantly influence how jurors construct their narratives.
4. Research shows that when evidence contradicts the story a juror has formed, they may disregard the evidence to maintain consistency within their narrative.
5. The effectiveness of the story model can be influenced by how attorneys present their cases; compelling storytelling can sway juror opinions more than mere presentation of facts.

Review Questions

• How does the story model influence the way jurors interpret evidence during a trial?
  • The story model influences jurors by guiding them to create coherent narratives from the evidence presented. This means that rather than evaluating each piece of evidence independently, jurors integrate facts into a larger storyline that makes sense within their own understanding. This narrative construction helps them make sense of complex cases and can lead to biased interpretations based on how well the evidence fits into the story they have created.
• Discuss the role of emotional engagement in the story model of juror decision-making and its impact on verdicts.
  • Emotional engagement plays a crucial role in how jurors construct their narratives under the story model. When jurors feel an emotional connection to the evidence or characters in a case, it enhances their investment in that particular narrative. This emotional involvement can lead to stronger convictions or acquittals, depending on how compelling and relatable the story is. As a result, attorneys often strive to evoke emotions in jurors through storytelling techniques during trials.
• Evaluate the implications of using the story model in jury trials and its potential effects on justice outcomes.
  • Using the story model in jury trials has significant implications for justice outcomes as it highlights the subjective nature of decision-making among jurors. If jurors construct narratives based on personal biases or emotional responses rather than solely on factual evidence, this can lead to inconsistent or unfair verdicts. Additionally, defense and prosecution strategies heavily rely on effective storytelling; thus, cases may be decided not purely on legal merits but rather on which side presents a more compelling narrative. This underscores concerns about ensuring fair trials and balancing emotional appeal with factual accuracy.

Related terms

Cognitive Dissonance: A psychological phenomenon where individuals experience discomfort due to holding conflicting beliefs or attitudes, often leading them to change one of those beliefs to reduce the dissonance.

Confirmation Bias: The tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms one’s preexisting beliefs or hypotheses, often affecting juror decisions.

Heuristics: Mental shortcuts that simplify decision-making processes, which can impact how jurors assess evidence and make judgments.