The Effects of Demand Characteristics, Evaluation Anxiety, and Expectancy on Juror Honesty During Voir Dire

ABSTRACT

This study makes use of the basic experimental research on the social psychology of experiments in understanding the jury-selection process. A survey asked ex-jurors to report on their experiences during jury selection. The ex-jurors reported on the factors that influenced the honesty of their responses during voir dire. The findings were consistent with previous laboratory results, with evaluation anxiety producing the most significant changes in juror honesty. However, both evaluation anxiety and demand characteristics influenced juror behavior depending on the motives of the juror. Expectancies of judges and lawyers appeared to have little effect on the reported honesty of ex-jurors.