A Prosecuting Attorney Is Uncertain Whether Her Eyewitness Will Seem

question 107

Multiple Choice

A prosecuting attorney is uncertain whether her eyewitness will seem credible to the jury. The eyewitness's testimony could help win a conviction, but the witness might be discredited by the defense attorney. What advice should the prosecutor accept?

• A) Put the eyewitness on the stand, since even a discredited eyewitness is more convincing than no eyewitness at all.
• B) Do not put the eyewitness on the stand, since a discredited eyewitness is worse than no eyewitness at all.
• C) Put the eyewitness on the stand but admit your reservations about the credibility of the eyewitness before the defense attorney raises the issue.
• D) Put the eyewitness on the stand only if he or she is attractive and similar to the jurors.

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Definitions:

Maslow's Hierarchy

A psychological theory proposed by Abraham Maslow; it posits that human needs are arranged in a hierarchy, with physiological needs at the base, ascending to safety, love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization needs.

Conditional Positive Regard

An attitude of acceptance and love from others that is contingent upon behaving in a way that is approved by them, as opposed to unconditional positive regard.

Subception

A psychological term referring to the perception of stimuli below the threshold of consciousness.

Self-concepts

The sum of beliefs and feelings about oneself, including aspects of identity and self-esteem.