Document Type
Article
Date
1987
Keywords
courtrooms|nonverbal communication
Language
English
Disciplines
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Description/Abstract
The central importance of the judge in determining the courtroom atmosphere and ultimate fairness of a trial has long been recognized in law. ''Atmosphere'' is, however, a subtle factor, often not readily apparent from the dry appellate record. Recent empirical research I conducted with two colleagues (psychologist Robert Rosenthal, Ph.D., and Judge LaDoris Hazzard Cordell '74) indicates that a trial judge's nonverbal behavior- gestures, facial expressions, tone of voice, and general demeanor-might reveal opinions and beliefs about the defendant's guilt or innocence that are at odds with the actual words spoken.
Recommended Citation
Blanck, P. D. (1987). Off the record: Nonverbal communication in the courtroom. Stanford Lawyer, 21(2), 18-23.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
