Neuroscience and Jury Decision Making
In Najdowski, C. & Stevenson, M. (eds) Criminal Juries in the 21st Century: Psychological Science and the Law. New York: Oxford University Press, Forthcoming
Posted: 29 Aug 2018
Date Written: August 19, 2018
Abstract
This chapter examines the emerging use of neuroscience evidence in criminal trials and its influence on jury decision-making. It begins with a look at the prevalence of neuroscience expert evidence in criminal cases, finding a rapid increase in its use both in and outside of the United States. It then looks at the broader research on how the lay public is persuaded by neuroscience-derived information, followed by an examination of the relatively young literature on the specific (and often paradoxical) impact of neuroscience and neuroimagery on jurors’ judgments of criminal defendants. The chapter concludes with some caveats about the current state of neuroscience with respect to the legal system and some recommendations for future research.
Keywords: Neuroscience, Expert Evidence, Jury Decision-Making, Neuroimagery, Persuasion
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