Juries are a fundamental part of the legal system, tasked with delivering impartial verdicts based solely on the evidence. However, psychological research suggests that juror decision-making can be heavily influenced by extra-legal factors, including characteristics of the defendant. Two separate trials are underway at a Crown Court in northern England. The first trial involves a 24-year-old attractive female social media influencer who runs a successful lifestyle and fashion blog. The second trial involves a 55-year-old disheveled, unemployed male with a severe stutter and a history of substance abuse recovery. Both individuals are charged with stealing £50,000 from a local community youth center's development funds.
Assess how the characteristics of these two defendants may affect the judgements of the juries in their respective trials. You must make reference to the context in your answer.
Practise Edexcel A Level Psychology Content with exam-style questions for A Level Psychology. 1,059 questions covering Biological explanations of crime, Social explanations of crime, Cognitive and ethical interview techniques, Psychological formulation of offending, Cognitive-behavioural treatment for offenders, Biological treatment for offenders, Factors influencing eye-witness testimony, Factors influencing jury decision-making, Individual differences, and Developmental psychology, matched to the Edexcel A Level Psychology (9PS0) specification and written in Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.
