Debiasing the Law: How Understanding Cognitive Biases Leads to a More Just Legal System

Lawyers strive for fairness and justice in every case they handle. However, the behavioral science research shows that human reasoning in legal contexts is inherently flawed and vulnerable to both explicit and implicit biases. Cognitive biases, as they are known, can significantly impact legal matters such as employment law, jury selection, public procurement, criminal defense, business decision-making, bankruptcy, and police misconduct. It is therefore crucial for legal professionals to understand and address these biases in order to ensure the integrity of the legal process.

The Rhyme-As-Reason Effect: A Lesson from the O.J. Simpson Case

One of the most well-known examples of cognitive bias in legal cases is the famous defense from the O.J. Simpson trial: "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit." This statement relies on the rhyme-as-reason effect, where phrases that have cognitive fluency—meaning they are easier to process—sound more believable. 

In this particular case, the defense team used this cognitive bias to their advantage, which ultimately contributed to Simpson's acquittal. As legal professionals, it is our responsibility to be aware of such biases and take steps to mitigate their influence on the decision-making process.

Anchoring: The Impact of First Impressions

Another pervasive cognitive bias in legal settings is anchoring. Anchoring occurs when the initial piece of evidence someone learns about a topic is much more impactful than subsequent evidence. This is because all subsequent evidence is assessed through the lens of the first thing someone learns. 

For example, if a juror hears about a defendant's prior criminal record before hearing about the specific details of the current case, they may be more inclined to view the defendant as guilty. Recognizing the anchoring effect is crucial in order to present evidence and arguments in a way that minimizes its impact on the case's outcome.

Debiasing Techniques: Tools for a Fairer Legal System

Fortunately, the behavioral science field of debiasing has provided us with critically-important, peer-reviewed tools for addressing biases in legal cases. Some of these techniques include:

Blind Procedures

Implementing blind procedures, such as double-blind lineups or anonymized document reviews, can help reduce the influence of cognitive biases. By removing identifying information or limiting the ability to draw comparisons, lawyers can minimize the impact of biases on decision-making processes.

Expert Testimony on Cognitive Biases

Incorporating expert testimony on cognitive biases can help educate jurors and judges on the potential pitfalls of human reasoning. By making them aware of these biases, they are more likely to scrutinize their own thought processes and make more impartial judgments.

Deliberative Decision-Making Processes

Encouraging deliberative decision-making processes, such as slow and careful consideration of evidence, can help counteract the influence of cognitive biases. This may involve guiding jurors through a structured deliberation process or providing judges with checklists to ensure a thorough examination of the case.

Addressing Bias in Various Legal Contexts

Understanding and addressing cognitive biases are important across a wide range of legal matters. In employment law, addressing biases is critical to ensuring fair hiring practices and preventing discrimination. For example, anonymizing resumes during the recruitment process can help employers focus on candidates' skills and experience, rather than being influenced by gender, race, or age.

During jury selection, attorneys can use voir dire questions to identify potential jurors with strong cognitive biases that may influence their decision-making. This allows for the selection of a more impartial jury, ultimately contributing to a fairer trial

In public procurement, addressing biases helps ensure fair competition and transparent decision-making. By implementing blind evaluation processes, public officials can objectively assess bids without being influenced by factors such as the bidder's reputation or the anchoring effect.

Criminal defense attorneys must be aware of cognitive biases to effectively represent their clients. For example, they can challenge the admissibility of prejudicial evidence that may trigger anchoring or other biases. Additionally, they can educate jurors about cognitive biases through expert testimony, helping to create a more level playing field.

Cognitive biases can also impact business decisions, such as mergers, acquisitions, and contract negotiations. By applying debiasing techniques, lawyers can help clients make more informed decisions that are less influenced by cognitive biases, ultimately leading to better outcomes.

In bankruptcy cases, addressing cognitive biases is essential for fair asset distribution and accurate evaluation of debtor claims. By implementing blind procedures and promoting deliberative decision-making, lawyers can help ensure that the bankruptcy process remains impartial and equitable.

In cases of police misconduct, understanding and addressing cognitive biases is vital for evaluating the actions of law enforcement officers and holding them accountable. For instance, lawyers can scrutinize the reliability of eyewitness testimony, which is often influenced by cognitive biases, to ensure that justice is served.

Conclusion: The Path to a Fairer Legal System

In conclusion, addressing cognitive biases in legal cases is an essential step towards a fairer and more just legal system. By understanding these biases and implementing debiasing techniques, lawyers can effectively navigate the complex landscape of human reasoning and ensure that justice is served. By doing so, they not only uphold the integrity of the legal profession but also contribute to a society where fairness and justice prevail.

Key Take-Away

Addressing cognitive biases in the legal system is crucial for ensuring fairness, justice, and integrity in legal processes and decision-making...>Click to tweet

Image credit: Monstera/Pexels

Originally published in Disaster Avoidance Experts on March 18, 2023.

---

Dr. Gleb Tsipursky was lauded as “Office Whisperer” and “Hybrid Expert” by The New York Times for helping leaders use hybrid work to improve retention and productivity while cutting costs. He serves as the CEO of the boutique future-of-work consultancy Disaster Avoidance Experts. Dr. Gleb wrote the first book on returning to the office and leading hybrid teams after the pandemic, his best-seller Returning to the Office and Leading Hybrid and Remote Teams: A Manual on Benchmarking to Best Practices for Competitive Advantage (Intentional Insights, 2021). He authored seven books in total, and is best know for his global bestseller, Never Go With Your Gut: How Pioneering Leaders Make the Best Decisions and Avoid Business Disasters (Career Press, 2019). His cutting-edge thought leadership was featured in over 650 articles and 550 interviews in Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Inc. Magazine, USA Today, CBS News, Fox News, Time, Business Insider, Fortune, and elsewhere. His writing was translated into Chinese, Korean, German, Russian, Polish, Spanish, French, and other languages. His expertise comes from over 20 years of consulting, coaching, and speaking and training for Fortune 500 companies from Aflac to Xerox. It also comes from over 15 years in academia as a behavioral scientist, with 8 years as a lecturer at UNC-Chapel Hill and 7 years as a professor at Ohio State. A proud Ukrainian American, Dr. Gleb lives in Columbus, Ohio. In his free time, he makes sure to spend abundant quality time with his wife to avoid his personal life turning into a disaster. Contact him at Gleb[at]DisasterAvoidanceExperts[dot]com, follow him on LinkedIn @dr-gleb-tsipursky, Twitter @gleb_tsipursky, Instagram @dr_gleb_tsipursky, Facebook @DrGlebTsipursky, Medium @dr_gleb_tsipursky, YouTube, and RSS, and get a free copy of the Assessment on Dangerous Judgment Errors in the Workplace by signing up for the free Wise Decision Maker Course at https://disasteravoidanceexperts.com/newsletter/.