In a Murder Case Involving a Six-Person Jury, Five of the Jurors

question 22

Multiple Choice

In a murder case involving a six-person jury, five of the jurors think the defendant is guilty and one thinks the defendant is not guilty. In another murder case involving a 12-person jury, ten think the defendant is guilty and two think the defendant is not guilty. Based on Asch's research on conformity, and all other things being equal, what predictions can be made about the likelihood that the jurors in the minority in these two trials will resist the pressures exerted by those in the majority to change their verdicts?

• A) The minority in the smaller jury should be less likely to maintain his or her independence because the minority in the smaller jury has no allies in dissent.
• B) The minority in the larger jury should be less likely to maintain their independence because the majority in the larger jury is comprised of more people.
• C) Because the proportion of majority to minority jurors is equivalent in these two juries, the minorities should be equally likely to maintain their independence.
• D) If the evidence in both cases is ambiguous, the minority in the smaller jury should be less likely to maintain his or her independence; but if the evidence in both cases is unambiguous, there should be no difference between the juries.

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Definitions:

Entire Group

A term referring to all members or components within a specified collection or set without exception.

National Rifle Association

An American nonprofit organization that advocates for gun rights.

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Designated areas where the possession of firearms is not allowed, typically to enhance safety in those areas.

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