Exploring Juror's Listening Processes: The Effect of Listening Style Preference on Juror Decision Making

Abstract

Previous research in juror decision making has only indirectly addressed the effect of listening on juror decision making. This exploratory study examines the relationship between listening style preference and jurors' assignment of negligence and damages. Utilizing the case of a failed savings and loan, results of correlation analyses indicate that participants with a people-oriented listening style tend to find the plaintiffs less at fault, while jurors who are time-oriented listeners tend to award higher damages to the defense. The implications of these results for juror decision making are discussed.