Three Behavioral Essays on Juror Decision Making

• Other Authors: Davis, Brent James (authoraut)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Economics
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-8970

In this dissertation, I examine juror decision making behavior in economic contexts using economic experiments and field data from a natural field experiment. Using these methods I am able to test if behavior conforms to traditional legal, psychological, and theoretical predictions. The first essay (chapter 2) studies the quantitative difference between two standards of proof used in the American legal system in an incentivized experiment. I find no difference in conviction rates but a large difference in errors committed by jurors. The second essay (chapter 3) explores a more general theoretical framework (with jury, voting, among other applications) which tests theoretical predictions in an environment where payoffs from decisions in a social learning setting are interdependent. Individuals deviate from equilibrium behavior in the same fashion as when such interdependencies are not present. The third essay (chapter 4) extends analysis a natural field experiment in Arizona courts and finds differences in juror behavior following a jury courtroom procedural change. I then providing some concluding remarks. === A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Economics in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. === Summer Semester, 2014. === June 24, 2014. === Economics, Experiments, Juries === Includes bibliographical references. === David Cooper, Professor Directing Dissertation; Allen Blay, University Representative; R. Mark (Robert Mark) Isaac, 1954-, Committee Member; Gary Fournier, Committee Member; John Hamman, Committee Member.