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The Psychology of Witness Credibility: How Jurors Decide Who to Trust


Season 1 Episode 16


Witness credibility is the cornerstone of civil litigation where jurors' perceptions and human psychology intersect with facts and qualifications to determine case outcomes. We explore how data analytics and psychographic profiling are revolutionizing how attorneys prepare witnesses and anticipate jury reactions.

• Jurors filter testimony through personal lenses including life experiences, values, and biases
• Expert witnesses are viewed primarily as teachers whose job is to explain complex concepts clearly
• The "paid expert" label triggers immediate skepticism that must be proactively addressed
• Practical field experience often carries equal or greater weight than academic credentials with jurors
• Witnesses who personally engage with case data rather than just "reviewing the file" gain significant credibility
• Arrogant or condescending demeanor destroys credibility regardless of qualifications
• Experts who have worked for both plaintiffs and defendants appear more neutral and objective
• The "Big Five" personality traits provide a framework for understanding how jurors process information
• Psychographic data enables tailored witness preparation for specific jury pools rather than generic advice
• The most effective approach combines data analytics with human experience and intuition

This discussion is part of our ongoing series exploring how data and analytics are transforming civil litigation. Stay tuned for future episodes on legal data governance and other applications of analytics in civil plaintiff cases.


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https://scienceofjustice.com/


Published on 2 months, 1 week ago






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