Why Would Something as Apparently Innocuous as a Defendant's Name

question 56

Multiple Choice

Why would something as apparently innocuous as a defendant's name influence the inferences and decisions of mock jurors in the experiment by Bodenhausen (1988) mentioned in the text?

• A) Negative out-group stereotypes were activated, and they biased information processing.
• B) Group polarization during deliberations made stereotypes more extreme.
• C) Groups were more likely than individuals to commit the ultimate attribution error.
• D) Names are often a criterion used to establish minimal in-groups and out-groups.

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Definitions:

Rawls

Refers to John Rawls, an influential 20th-century philosopher known for his theories on justice and political liberalism.

Moral Theory

A system of principles that helps in determining what is right and wrong in human behavior.

Kantianism

A philosophy based on the ethical theories of Immanuel Kant, emphasizing duty, moral principles, and the categorical imperative.

Morally Good Society

A society characterized by widespread adherence to ethical norms and practices that promote the well-being and rights of all its members.