Courtroom Power Distance Dynamics

The book "Reconceptualizing Power Distance in Judge–Witness Courtroom Interactions" presents a comprehensive reconception of Geert Hofstedes concept of power distance, applying it to the specific case of judge-witness courtroom interactions in Polish regional courts. It develops a three-level concept of power distance, including personal preferences, organizational rules, and interactional demeanors. The book details the elements of judge-witness courtroom interactions that contribute to establishing power distance and addresses the relationship between subjective power distance and opinions of laypeople concerning a judges demeanor. It offers a coherent framework for examining interpersonal relations in legal contexts and illustrates how it can be applied to courtroom interactions. The book appeals to legal practitioners and academics, as well as scientists outside the legal field, and provides insights into courtroom interactional dynamics.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 295 pages
Publication date: 29 March 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

The book delves into a comprehensive reimagining of Geert Hofstedes renowned concept of power distance, applying it to the unique realm of judge-witness courtroom interactions within Polish regional courts. In response to the thorough examination of Hofstedes initial framework, the book meticulously constructs a three-tiered concept of power distance, encompassing personal preferences regarding the actualization of power dynamics (subjective level); the rules, practices, and spatial configurations that underpin power relations (organizational level); and individual demeanors that can, in practice, amplify or mitigate the imbalance between parties in a power relationship (interactional level). This reconceptualization emerges as a versatile conceptual framework that finds application across diverse social contexts, yet the authors have extensively employed it in rigorous qualitative and quantitative research centered on courtroom interactions.

Subsequently, the book expounds on the various components of judge-witness courtroom interactions, both verbal and non-verbal, that contribute to the establishment of power distance between the judge and the witness. These insights were gleaned through a comprehensive observational research endeavor spanning six months in 2018, conducted within the Kraków regional courts.

Lastly, the book addresses the intricate relationship between the subjective level of power distance and the perceptions held by laypeople regarding a judge's demeanor within the courtroom environment. To accomplish this, it outlines specific quantitative research involving the creation of original film clips depicting witness questioning by the judge in a courtroom across three distinct power distance scenarios.

By presenting a cohesive framework for analyzing diverse interpersonal dynamics in legal contexts, the book serves as a valuable resource for scholars, practitioners, and anyone interested in understanding the intricacies of power relations in legal settings.

Weight: 474g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030669867
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021