PSYCHOLOGY MASTER'S THESIS ABSTRACT

Sam Pederson

MA-Research
August 1996

Predicting Juror Behavior with Personality Traits

    Past mock jury research using personality predictors has yielded few consistent results.  The current study investigated the influence of the “Big Five” traits, which are currently accepted as the best predictors, in civil trials.  One hundred fifty-six participants completed the NEO-FFI, watched video-taped opening statements, and deliberated as a real jury.  Dependent measures included each juror’s: (a) verdict and damage award (pre-and post-deliberation); (b) changes in verdict and damage awards (from pre-and post-deliberation); and (c) ratings of the plaintiff and defense cases, along the dimensions of strength, clarity, believability and organization.  The results indicated that Extraversion was associated with pro-plaintiff verdicts and changes in damage awards, while Agreeableness was associated with the propensity to perceive the defense case as clear.  No significant links with Neuroticism, Openness or Conscientiousness were revealed.  Methodological limitations, directions for future research, and implications for jury selection were discussed.

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