Symbolism in the Courtroom - An Examination of the Influence of Non-verbal Cues in a District Court Setting on Juror Ability to Focus on the Evidence

Symbolism in the courtroom has been the subject oflegal debate for some time. Such symbolism includesthe layout of the courtroom, clothes worn by legalrepresentatives and expected behaviours of those inthe setting. Until now there has been no formalstudy on the influence of symbolic cues in thecourtroom on lay individuals who enter the setting.Jurors in particular, are a group of lay individualswhose limited understanding of symbolism in thecourtroom might influence their ability to focus onthe evidence. Using nvironmental psychologicaltheories, this research examined how jurorsresponded to the courtroom setting. A particularfocus was how the juror experience in the setting ofwhich they were relatively naïve, influenced theirability to perform their role as a juror. With someadjustment, the continued use of symbolicrepresentations in the courtroom is encouraged asthe formal nature of the setting promotes jurorfocus on the evidence. This book is addressed toprofessionals, including lawyers, particularly thosewho desire a better understanding of jurorsychology, environmental psychologists, courtroomarchitects, and court administrators.

Product details

• Authors: Christine Richardson, Richardson Christine
• Publisher: VDM Verlag Dr. Müller
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 01.01.2008
• EAN: 9783639016185
• ISBN: 978-3-639-01618-5
• No. of pages: 416
• Dimensions: 150 mm x 220 mm x 25 mm
• Weight: 637 g
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Psychology; Non-fiction book > Psychology, esoterics, spirituality, anthroposophy > Applied psychology