POLS 121 Chapter Notes - Chapter 13: Group Dynamics, Decision-Making, Chief Judge
15 Nov 2020
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These multi judge courts are known as collegial courts. Openness to change of opinion is termed fluidity: two characteristics of group dynamics carry the most weight when judges try to influence each other: Personality, with those viewed more favorably more able to work out compromises. Instead, discussions over the breadth, depth and overall content of a majority decision are discussed and written in order to garner enough votes to have a majority. Also assigns opinion writing through the justices, which can be used strategically: chief judge of the us appeals courts can exercise influence as well, depending on their intellectual and negotiating skills. There were vote changes from initial votes in conference to the final vote in 60% of all cases. Most changes occur when a justice who didn"t participate initially voted and when a dissenter joined the majority. Initial majority opinion lost out in only 14% of cases.
