Juries

Jury research is relevant to the study of group processes and intergroup relations for several reasons. The first psychological work on juries, Munsterberg's treatise on testimony, was published in 1908. During the century since then, juries have played an important role in the study of group processes and intergroup relations both as topics for investigation and as a setting in which to study group processes. Trial juries have intrinsic interest for their role in a democratic society. Juries are unique among decision-making groups in several ways. They have a public function, as serving on a jury is a prime means for citizens to play a role in government. In the U.S. tradition, harking back to colonial times, juries not only apply law to specific cases ...