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Feeling At Home: Law, Cognitive Science, And Narrative, Lea B. Vaughn
Feeling At Home: Law, Cognitive Science, And Narrative, Lea B. Vaughn
Lea B Vaughn
What is the “how and why” of law’s affinity for narrative? In order to explain why the use of stories is such an effective teaching and presentation strategy in the law, this paper will consider theories and accounts from cognitive as well as evolutionary psychology, neuroscience, and, briefly, cultural anthropology. This account seeks to address “how” narrative helps us learn and use the law as well as “why” we are so compelled to use stories in teaching and in practice.
Brain science, simplified here, suggests that the first task is to “grab” someone’s attention. Emotionally charged events are more likely …
The “Csi Effect”: Better Jurors Through Television And Science?, Michael Mann
The “Csi Effect”: Better Jurors Through Television And Science?, Michael Mann
Michael D. Mann
This Comment explores how television shows such as CSI and Law & Order have created heightened juror expectations in courtrooms across America. Surprise acquitals often have prosectors scratching their heads as jurors hold them to this new "Hollywood" standard. The Comment also analyzes the CSI phenomena by reflecting on past legal television shows that have influenced the public's perception of the legal profession and how the "CSI effect" has placed an even greater burden on parties to proffer some kind of forensic evidence at trial.
The Comment was published in volume 24 of the Buffalo Public Interest Law Journal (2006).