Deck 13: Section 2: Child Custody Disputes

Question 1

Certain characteristics of the defendant are often considered by jurors. For example, Phillip is a known thug and gang member. He was on trial for the death of a priest that he ran over while evading police. In this case, it is likely that Phillip will receive a verdict that would be _____ if he had killed a fellow gang member.

A) more harsh than
B) less harsh than
C) not as harsh as
D) He would receive the same sentence for both crimes.

Answer 1

more harsh than

Question 2

Information that might be deemed prejudicial is likely to be considered as:

A) reactance.
B) leniency bias.
C) inadmissible evidence.
D) informational influence.

Answer 2

inadmissible evidence.

Question 3

When an expert witness is presenting a testimony that is _____, the strength of expert's credentials is _____.

A) very complex; especially important
B) relevant for the case; overwhelming
C) less complex; extremely important
D) hard to understand; marginally relevant

Answer 3

very complex; especially important

Question 4

When jurors employ a "mental meter" to assess an individual's guilt or innocence, they are assumed to be using a:

A) story model.
B) mental meter model.
C) mathematical model.
D) statistical model.

Question 5

Juries are unusual groups of people performing unusual tasks. Which of the following statements is NOT true about juries?

A) Juries consist of people who most likely don't know each other and have little in common.
B) During the trial, jurors only observe but cannot ask any questions from witnesses.
C) Jurors have to leave their house and live in a hotel for the duration of the trial.
D) Jurors are expected to suspend judgement until all relevant evidence was presented.

Question 6

When a judge dictates that certain evidence is to be ignored, jurors often feel that their freedom to choose to consider all evidence is threatened. This belief may motivate them to consider inadmissible evidence to a(n) _____ degree as admissible.

A) lesser
B) greater
C) similar
D) third

Question 7

Information released through pretrial publicity is often _____ at trial.

A) admissible
B) inadmissible
C) avoided
D) included

Question 8

According to extensive research, the best predictor of what the verdict will be is the _____ of relevant evidence.

A) strength
B) description
C) review
D) discussion

Question 9

Evidence that is meant to damage the credibility of a witness or defendant's reputation is also referred to as:

A) complex evidence.
B) reactance theory.
C) ironic processes.
D) impeachment evidence.

Question 10

When jurors are instructed to disregard the inadmissible evidence, they sometimes feel there is no good reason for such an instruction. Instead, they give that evidence an even greater weight. This process is assumed by _____.

A) relativity
B) parallel processes
C) inferiority
D) reactance

Question 11

According to the text, two models are utilized when describing the decision-making process of jury members. These two models are known as _____ and _____.

A) mathematical models; statistical models
B) statistical models; bias models
C) story models; mathematical models
D) statistical models; story models

Question 12

Jurors that create a causal chain of events are said to be utilizing the _____ of decision making.

A) story model
B) mental meter model
C) mathematical model
D) bias model

Question 13

Individuals that present testimony in court based on their specialized training or knowledge are also known as:

A) expert witnesses.
B) prosecuting attorneys.
C) defending attorneys.
D) strong jurors.

Question 14

According to the text, jurors are actively constructing stories _____ the evidence at trial.

A) before hearing
B) during hearing
C) after hearing
D) regardless of hearing

Question 15

When told to not think about something, we often do the exact opposite and cannot get that thought out of our heads. This mental behavior is referred to as:

A) ironic processes.
B) iconic beliefs.
C) false beliefs.
D) the story model.

Question 16

The lack of clear evidence often results in jurors considering other factors such as pretrial publicity and prior beliefs. This phenomenon is known as the _____ hypothesis.

A) guilty through association
B) public court accusation
C) liberation
D) presumption

Question 17

It is _____ that jurors would be able to ignore past convictions if instructed so, especially if these convictions were for_____.

A) likely; crimes very different from the one the defendant is being tried for
B) unlikely; crimes similar to the one the defendant is being tried for
C) likely; minor crimes
D) unlikely; white-collar crimes

Question 18

Members of a jury that appear to have a great deal of influence on the deliberation process are referred to as _____ jurors.

A) potential
B) helpful
C) dedicated
D) strong

Question 19

According to the text, in civil trials, corporations are held to a different standard than individuals. This difference may be as a result of the notion that corporations _____, whereas individuals _____.

A) pay lower awards; pay higher awards
B) pay higher awards; go to jail
C) are held to a higher standard of decision-making; may have a lapse in judgment
D) may have a lapse in judgment; are expected to be better trained to guard against bad judgments

Question 20

Interestingly, if a defendant is injured in the course of committing a crime:

A) jurors are more likely to hand down a harsh sentence.
B) jurors are more likely to hand down a lenient sentence.
C) judges and jurors are more likely to disagree about a sentence.
D) judges and jurors are more likely to agree about a sentence.

Question 21

Research evidence suggests that, when judges and juries disagree on a verdict:

A) judges are more lenient.
B) juries are more lenient.
C) they agree to disagree.
D) These disagreements never happen.

Question 22

Interestingly, the author notes that approximately _____ of deliberation time is devoted to evidence, whereas about _____ is dedicated to the law and judges' instructions.

A) 50%; 50%
B) 70-75%; 20%
C) 90-95%; 5%
D) 20-25%; 50%

Question 23

Preinstructions given to a jury before the beginning of a trial appear to provide a useful schema that makes jurors:

A) evaluate evidence differently.
B) deliberate more slowly.
C) experience more confusion during deliberations.
D) more likely to end up in a hung jury.

Question 24

When jurors change their votes under the pressure from other jurors, even though they did not change their minds, this phenomenon is also referred to as:

A) open conflict.
B) informational influence.
C) normative influence.
D) leniency bias.

Question 25

Juries may base their verdicts on reasoning that ignores or goes beyond the law. This phenomenon is referred to as:

A) a hung jury.
B) jury nullification.
C) overrule objection.
D) ironic processes.

Question 26

The foreperson of a jury is regarded as its leader. However, a foreperson may or may not exert disproportionate influence on a verdict. In fact, he or she may become more focused on the _____ and on acting as a(n)_____.

A) case itself; strong juror
B) procedural issues; moderator
C) organizational issues; strong juror
D) case itself; expert witness

Question 27

In the case of a split jury, where half favor "guilty" and the other half favor "not guilty" on the initial vote, it is more likely that the final verdict will be _____. This tendency is also referred to as the _____ bias.

A) "guilty"; leniency
B) "guilty"; bystander
C) "not guilty"; leniency
D) "not guilty"; bystander

Question 28

_____ occurs when group pressure results in holdout jurors changing their votes.

A) Open conflict
B) Informational influence
C) Normative influence
D) Reactance influence

Question 29

Differences in opinion among members often occur. At this point, various coalitions may develop among jury members. This may even lead to attacks against each other. A common term for this phenomenon is:

A) informational influence.
B) normative influence.
C) leniency bias.
D) open conflict.

Question 30

According to the text, approximately _____ of jury trials in the United States result in a hung jury.

A) Less than 3%
B) Less than 7%
C) 10-12%
D) 15%

Question 31

A "hung" jury:

A) can reach a unanimous verdict.
B) is forced to reconsider the verdict.
C) cannot reach a unanimous verdict.
D) reaches a majority.

Question 32

Unanimity is required by _____ states in capital murder trials.

A) 25
B) 30
C) 45
D) all 50

Question 33

In a post verdict survey, it was discovered that _____ of jurors stated that they had adequate opportunities to express their views.

A) about a quarter
B) a half
C) about 75%
D) over 95%

Question 34

According to the text, juries that required unanimity to reach a decision, deliberate _____, and are also more likely to _____.

A) faster; consider evidence more carefully
B) longer; hang
C) in closed quarters; allow videotaping of the deliberation process
D) faster; hang

Question 35

Evidence has shown that judges are susceptible to the same interferences with impartiality as are jurors. According to the text, researchers discovered that judges accepted the recommendation of the parole officer about _____ of the time.

A) 50%
B) 70%
C) 85%
D) 95%

Question 36

During the deliberation process, two distinct styles are evident. These two styles are _____ and _____.

A) verdict-driven style; evidence-driven style
B) verdict-driven style; leniency-based
C) evidence-driven style; reactance-based
D) evidence-driven style; reconciliation

Question 37

When jurors change their minds through the compelling arguments of other jurors, this phenomenon is also referred to as:

A) open conflict.
B) informational influence.
C) normative influence.
D) leniency bias.

Question 38

Contrary to popular opinion, a survey administered to jurors after a verdict was reached, revealed that _____ agreed that the deliberation process was rigorous and demonstrated both equality and mutual respect.

A) only 50%
B) about 75%
C) over 90%
D) less than 25%