Date of Award

January 2012

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Douglas Peters

Abstract

The following study looked at the relationship between self-monitoring and jurors' view of liability in a civil accident case. Some studies looking at belief systems and selected personality traits and have found conflicting results on whether or not you can determine which way the juror will vote on a case. Even fewer studies have looked at the Big Five Personality traits and self-monitoring. Research shows that individuals who are more extraverted are more likely to vote for the defense. This study had participants (N=147) take the Big Five Personality Inventory and the Self-Monitoring Scale, then read an accident scenario and answer questions about who they thought was responsible for the accident and assign blame. The hypothesis that those who are high self-monitors would be more likely to find the defendant not guilty was partially supported.

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