Archive | Psychology

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

This expression which is the title of this post is credited to English author Charles Caleb Colton’s writing in 1820. I don’t feel flattered. To explain, Melissa and I formed Magnus Research Consultants, Inc. in 1993. We worked hard to come up with a name that fit many criteria we established for our new, nameless, […]

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I respectfully disagree with Mr. Colton about being flattered by imitation. Think about it. Is imitation leather flattering to real leather? Is eating imitation cheese ever a good idea? What exactly is imitation crab imitating? I could go on. When David and I discovered that one of our competitors had copied our name, we were […]

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Crazy Mock Juror Story #1: If we’re in Miami, that must be cocaine

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On November 22, 2016

Category: Litigation Tips, Psychology, Trial Consulting

This is the first in a series of posts based on a general theme, “Crazy Mock Juror Stories.” I have been working with human research participants since 1977; in the early days of my studies and career, we psychologists referred to anyone who participated in our research as “subjects.” Now, the socially acceptable term is […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On November 22, 2016

Category: Litigation Tips, Psychology, Trial Consulting

I was in the office the day of this particular event, but not directly participating in the mock jury research. However, when the hunt was on for the missing mock jurors, I became aware that something was amiss, especially upon seeing Melissa’s (that is, Dr. Pigott, during business hours) expression. Clearly something was wrong, but […]

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The Psychology of Medical Malpractice

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On November 17, 2016

Category: Getting the Job Done, Litigation Tips, Psychology, Trial Consulting, Trial Science, Work-Life, Workplace Technology

In the September 2016 Monitor on Psychology, there was an article entitled “Medical Errors are the Third Leading Cause of Death in the United States.” My reaction was “WOW”; it’s hard to believe medical errors are responsible for more deaths than respiratory ailments, strokes, Alzheimer’s Disease and are only surpassed by heart disease and cancer. […]

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Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On November 17, 2016

Category: Getting the Job Done, Litigation Tips, Psychology, Trial Consulting, Trial Science, Work-Life, Workplace Technology

Psychologists who have analyzed data from numerous adverse medical situations have identified 5 types of errors that cause medical mistakes: (1) errors of commission; (2) errors of omission; (3) errors of communication; (4) errors of context; and (5) diagnostic errors. The underlying problems that lead to medical errors have been studied by psychologists because many […]

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Mirror Jury

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On November 10, 2016

Category: Getting the Job Done, Litigation Tips, Psychology, Trial Consulting, Trial Science

Following the recent Bull theme yet again, anyone who has watched the first 2 episodes has observed Dr. Bull conducting a “Mirror Jury.” So, before you ask, a “Mirror Jury” or something by another similar name is real. The most commonly used term for this service provided by trial consultants is “Shadow Jury®.” Anyone notice […]

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Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On November 10, 2016

Category: Getting the Job Done, Litigation Tips, Psychology, Trial Consulting, Trial Science

I must admit that the new TV show about jury consultants is a highly entertaining, fanciful, drama. (In my opinion, it does not come close to the entertainment value of my long time favorite show, “The Simpsons,” however.) Because the term, “Shadow Jury®” was a registered trademark formerly owned by Litigation Sciences (my former employer), […]

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