Jury Deliberation In 12 Angry Men

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Within the jury deliberation process, there are three stages. The first stage, orientation, is when the jury foreperson is elected and when general procedures are discussed (Costanzo & Krauss, 2018). Within the film “12 Angry Men” the jury foreman begins the orientation phase by describing the nature of the trial as well as potential sentencing outcomes (Fonda & Lumet, 1957). The jury foreman further explains that their verdict must be unanimous (Fonda & Lumet, 1957).
Following the explanation by the jury foreman, the jurors cast their votes prior to the analysis of the evidence (Fonda & Lumet, 1957). This approach to jury deliberation is known as the verdict-driven style of jury deliberation. According to Costanzo & Krauss (2018), the verdict-driven …show more content…
This moment is the turning point in the open conflict stage as it showed that other members of the jury were unsure about their opinion of the case. According to Costanzo & Krauss (2018), normative influence is when a jury member conforms because to group pressure. Although their vote conforms with the votes of the other members, their personal views oppose those of the others. The power of normative influence is best exhibited by Juror #3 who chastises another jury member following the second vote. Juror #3 attempts to use group pressure to ensure that the other members of the jury vote guilty. The actual jury member who changed his vote, Juror #9, exhibits the effects of informational influence. The change of vote by Juror #9 following the request to vote by Juror #9 is also an example of informational influence. According to Costanzo & Krauss (2018), informational influence occurs when a jury member changes their opinion based on persuasion rather than intimidation. Informational influence is the most effective form of influence because it relies on the strengths of the evidence rather than on …show more content…
Within the reconciliation phase, jurors attempt to ensure that everyone is satisfied with the agreed verdict (Costanzo & Krauss, 2018). The turning point of the reconciliation phase occurs when Juror #3 destroys the photograph of his son. The realization that he is projecting is disappointment and anger towards his son at the defendant leads Juror #3 to change his vote to not guilty. Following this change in vote, all of the jurors leave except for Juror #3 and Juror #8. Juror #8 comforts Juror #3 and hands him his coat. “Prejudice always complicates the truth.” Prejudice and bias played a large role in the decision-making process for several members of the jury. Prejudice was most prevalent is the decision-making process of Juror #3. Juror #3 is close-minded and throughout the movie, refuses to change his vote despite evidence which contradicts his opinion. Juror #3 eventually realize that he is prejudiced against the defendant after he destroys a picture of him and his son. This action cause Juror #3 to come to the realization that he is projecting the anger he feels towards his son onto the defendant (Fonda & Lumet,
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