ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book provides a legal and social psychological perspective on the American jury system. It is a legal study in that it is concerned with important legal questions: namely, rules of law, expert testimony, commitment procedures, and juror selection. The book examines the relationship between the social psychology and economic background that jurors bring with them to the trial and the opinions they have about the case. It also examines the information presented during the trial, especially the testimony of experts and the rules of law and verdicts and the relative influence of different persons on the jury in persuading others to accept their view of the case. The book explores the jury as an institution by noting how responsive it is to the expectations of the judiciary and of the larger community.
