Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


Dissertation With Format Check.pdf (205.57 KB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Behavioral mimicry in the courtroom: Predicting jurors' verdict preference from nonconscious mimicry of attorneys

Groebe, Matthew Elliot
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1384364661

Abstract Details

2013, Doctor of Philosophy, Miami University, Psychology.
Mimicry is an unconscious reaction of imitating other people's behaviors, postures, and facial expressions (Chartrand & Bargh, 1999). It has been shown to lead to a host of positive outcomes, such as increased liking and persuasiveness. Mimicry has not yet received any empirical attention in the courtroom. This research examines behavioral mimicry as a predictor of verdict preference. Specifically, the primary research question was whether a juror's mimicry of the plaintiff's attorney and defense attorney predicts verdict preference. Six mock trial videotapes were used (43 jurors in total). Jurors' mimicry behaviors, as well as commonly held nonverbal indicators of agreement and disagreement, were coded. It was hypothesized that overall mimicry would predict final predeliberation verdict preference, and that mimicry would be a stronger predictor of verdict preference than nonverbal agreement behaviors or disagreement behaviors. The hypotheses were partially supported. Although overall mimicry did not predict final predeliberation verdict, mimicry did predict verdict preference on a segment-by-segment basis. Furthermore, mimicry was a stronger predictor of verdict preference than nonverbal agreement behaviors or disagreement behaviors. These results suggest that mimicry may be a subtle means of communicating agreement with an attorney as she presents her argument. Attorneys can focus on jurors' mimicry as a tool for deselecting unfavorable jurors during jury selection and for assessing jurors' temporary preferences and reactions during evidence presentation.
Garold Stasser, Dr. (Committee Chair)
Susanne Abele, Dr. (Committee Member)
Carrie Hall, Dr. (Committee Member)
Monica Schneider, Dr. (Committee Member)
35 p.
Law; Psychology; Social Psychology
Legal psychology; mimicry; nonverbal behavior; juror; jury; law; verdict; courtroom

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Groebe, M. E. (2013). Behavioral mimicry in the courtroom: Predicting jurors' verdict preference from nonconscious mimicry of attorneys [Doctoral dissertation, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1384364661

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Groebe, Matthew. Behavioral mimicry in the courtroom: Predicting jurors' verdict preference from nonconscious mimicry of attorneys. 2013. Miami University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1384364661.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Groebe, Matthew. "Behavioral mimicry in the courtroom: Predicting jurors' verdict preference from nonconscious mimicry of attorneys." Doctoral dissertation, Miami University, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1384364661

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

miami1384364661
471
© 2013, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Miami University and OhioLINK.