Study Shows Potential Jurors’ Enthusiasm Triggered Much Easier Than Rest of Population

MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ- Sociological researchers at Rutgers University released yesterday the results of their study, finding that the average potential juror needs far less stimulus to reach a state of enthusiasm than the general public.

The comprehensive one-day study took place last month at Middlesex County Courthouse. A separate control group was composed of 50 miscellaneous New Jersey residents.

The control group was found to need quite a large amount of stimulus to feel excited. A 23-year-old male from Piscataway, for instance, was quoted in the study as needing a lot of things to get him excited. “I work really hard and I have a few hobbies, so I already have a lot going on,” said the man, referred to as Fred in the study. “For me to get going, a roller coaster or giant water slide usually does the trick.”

However, the difference in stimulus needed for Francis, a potential juror sitting in a white-walled basement waiting room with fluorescent lighting, was large. “It’s extraordinary!” said Dr. Stephanie Johnson, who led the study. “Francis grinned ear-to-ear when she found a two-year-old copy of Vanity Fair to read. What’s more, she normally hates reading about pop culture.”

A survey conducted for both groups also revealed shocking differences in needed stimuli. In a pie chart representing the results for the control group, “Sexual Activity” received 36% of the vote, followed by “A Luxury Vacation” with 24% and “A Night of Drinking” with 22%. Other answers included “Riding a Horse”, “Watching ‘Game of Thrones’”, and “Going to a Sports Game”.

Meanwhile, results of the survey for the people on jury duty were noticeably much more mundane. “Reading That Book That’s Been Sitting on My Shelf for Years” and “Biting My Nails” received overwhelming approval, with 45% and 30%, respectively. “Sitting in a Paranoid Haze Wondering if I Put My Mother in a Good Retirement Home” and “Faking Cigarette Breaks” also received many votes.

Study assistant Glen Chapman speculates that one possible way to raise the stimulus level for potential jurors could be to, “play movies or have video games or something”. As for possible reasons for this difference from the control group, Johnson believes the stress that comes with the honor of jury service could make jurors crave distractions to ease the pressure.

“Advanced boredom is another possibility,” she added.

                                                                                -By Mike Vandenberg