Final answer:
The social cognition model explains how social factors, cognitive biases, and group dynamics influence jury decision-making by shaping jurors' opinions and behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
The social cognition model can help explain jury influence by examining how social factors, cognitive biases, and group dynamics play a role in shaping jury decisions. Firstly, social factors such as group norms and conformity can influence jurors to align their opinions with the majority or the dominant voices in the group. This can lead to a phenomenon known as groupthink, where jurors prioritize consensus over critical evaluation of evidence.
Cognitive biases, such as confirmation bias and the fundamental attribution error, can also impact jury decision-making. Confirmation bias occurs when jurors seek out and interpret information in a way that confirms their pre-existing beliefs or expectations. The fundamental attribution error leads jurors to make internal attributions for someone's behavior without considering situational factors that may have influenced their actions.
Lastly, group dynamics within the jury, including interpersonal influence and persuasion, can shape individual jurors' opinions. Persuasive arguments or charismatic jurors can sway the opinions of others. Overall, the social cognition model helps explain how social and cognitive factors interact to influence jury decision-making.