Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- List of contributors
- Introduction
- Part I Research on interpersonal expectations
- 3 Introduction to research on interpersonal expectations
- 4 Interpersonal expectations in the courtroom: Studying judges' and juries' behavior
- 5 Expectancies and the perpetuation of racial inequity
- 6 Pygmalion - 25 years after interpersonal expectations in the classroom
- 7 Interpersonal expectations in organizations
- 8 Interpersonal expectations and the maintenance of health
- 9 Precursors of interpersonal expectations: The vocal and physical attractiveness stereotypes
- 10 In search of a social fact: A commentary on the study of interpersonal expectations
- Part II Research on the mediation of interpersonal expectations through nonverbal behavior
- Part III The study of interpersonal expectations
- Author index
- Subject index
- Studies in Emotion and Social Interaction
4 - Interpersonal expectations in the courtroom: Studying judges' and juries' behavior
from Part I - Research on interpersonal expectations
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 23 December 2009
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- List of contributors
- Introduction
- Part I Research on interpersonal expectations
- 3 Introduction to research on interpersonal expectations
- 4 Interpersonal expectations in the courtroom: Studying judges' and juries' behavior
- 5 Expectancies and the perpetuation of racial inequity
- 6 Pygmalion - 25 years after interpersonal expectations in the classroom
- 7 Interpersonal expectations in organizations
- 8 Interpersonal expectations and the maintenance of health
- 9 Precursors of interpersonal expectations: The vocal and physical attractiveness stereotypes
- 10 In search of a social fact: A commentary on the study of interpersonal expectations
- Part II Research on the mediation of interpersonal expectations through nonverbal behavior
- Part III The study of interpersonal expectations
- Author index
- Subject index
- Studies in Emotion and Social Interaction
Summary
Introduction
In a criminal trial, due process mandates that the trial judge does not show actual bias toward the defendant. Trial judges are not only required to be fair and impartial, they must also “satisfy the appearance of justice” (Blanck, 1991a; Blanck, Rosenthal, & Cordell, 1985; Blanck, Rosenthal, Hart, & Bernieri, 1990). Thus, the trial judge's appearance and behavior in a criminal jury trial must never indicate to the jury that the judge believes the defendant is guilty. The appearance of judicial bias alone is grounds for reversal even if the trial judge is, in fact, completely impartial (Blanck et al., 1985).
The courts, legal scholars, practitioners, and social scientists recognize that trial judges' verbal and nonverbal behavior may have important effects on trial processes and outcomes (Blanck, 1991a; Kalven & Zeisel, 1966; Ryan, Ashman, Sales, & Shane-DuBow, 1980). Courts caution repeatedly that juries may accord great weight and deference to even the most subtle behaviors of the trial judge. One judge concludes that “[juries] can be easily influenced by the slightest suggestion from the court, whether it be a nod of the head, a smile, a frown, or a spoken word” (State v. Wheat, 1930). Despite the danger of improperly influencing the jury, trial judges in a criminal jury trial, like all human beings, develop certain beliefs and expectations about the defendant's guilt or innocence.
This chapter describes an empirically based framework and a theoretical model for exploring judges' and juries' expectations and behavior in actual trials.
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- Chapter
- Information
- Interpersonal ExpectationsTheory, Research and Applications, pp. 64 - 87Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 1993
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