Eyewitness Testimony:

While often considered crucial evidence, eyewitness testimony can be unreliable due to factors like:

• Memory distortions: Stress, trauma, and time can distort memories, leading to false recollections.
• Leading questions: Suggestive questioning can implant false memories in witnesses.
• Confirmation bias: People tend to interpret information in a way that confirms their existing beliefs.

Juror Judgments:

Several factors influence juror decisions:

• Anchoring: Jurors often rely on initial pieces of information, even if irrelevant.
• Availability heuristic: Jurors judge events based on how easily they can recall similar events.
• Ingroup bias: Jurors may favor group members or those perceived as similar to themselves.

Group Influence in Juries:

Group dynamics can lead to:

• Deliberation bias: Dominant personalities or persuasive arguments can sway others.
• Group polarization: Groups can become more extreme in their initial positions after discussion.

Prosocial Behavior:

Examples of prosocial behavior include:

• Helping a stranger in need
• Volunteering
• Donating to charity

Social Exchange Theory:

This theory posits that people help others based on perceived costs and benefits, seeking reciprocity or social rewards.

Social Norms for Helping:

Social norms dictate expected helping behaviors in specific situations. These norms can be influenced by:

• Direct reciprocity: Expectation of direct return for help.
• Generalized reciprocity: Helping others with the expectation that someone will help you in the future.
• Altruism: Helping without expecting anything in return.

Leniency and its Consequences:

Leniency can be:

• Positive: Encouraging cooperation and reducing recidivism.
• Negative: Undermining justice and public trust in the legal system.

Scholarly Articles:

• Research on Social Psychology in the Courtroom: Wells, G. L., & Loftus, E. F. (2002). Eyewitness testimony. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 11(3), 123-127. (Discusses the limitations of eyewitness testimony and its impact on legal proceedings.)
• Minority Influence: Its Social Psychology and Political Impact: Moscovici, S. (1976). Social influence and majority/minority relations. Perspectives in social psychology, 2, 268-308. (Explores how minority opinions can influence majority decisions.)
• Group Polarization: When Deliberation Makes Us Dumb: Sunstein, C. R. (2002). Group polarization and deliberative democracy. The American Political Science Review, 94(1), 385-392. (Examines how group discussions can lead to more extreme positions.)

Remember, this is just a starting point. Further research and critical thinking are essential to fully understand these complex topics.