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Words Matter: How Attorney Language Abstraction and Emotional Valence Shape Juror Decision-Making.

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Area of Science:

  • Legal Psychology
  • Forensic Linguistics
  • Courtroom Communication

Background:

  • Attorney language choice at trial can influence jury perception and case outcomes.
  • Understanding the impact of linguistic strategies is crucial for legal fairness and preventing wrongful convictions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how the abstraction and emotional valence of attorney language affect juror decision-making in civil cases.

Main Methods:

  • A 2x2 factorial experiment with 273 online participants.
  • Participants evaluated a civil case closing statement with varying emotional valence (positive/negative) and abstraction levels (concrete/abstract).

Main Results:

  • Jurors perceived defendants as more liable when exposed to negative-concrete language compared to positive-concrete language.
  • This effect was not observed with abstract language, indicating a differential impact based on specificity and sentiment.

Conclusions:

  • The specific wording and emotional tone used by attorneys can significantly influence juror perceptions and legal judgments.
  • Attorneys may enhance their effectiveness by strategically tailoring language in closing arguments, considering both emotional valence and abstraction.