114 listener judges evaluated speech samples containing the fundamental frequency contour only of patients recorded during depression and after recovery. In 80% of the ratings the listeners could determine whether or not the recording emanated from the depressive pkaase. A group of conservatory students contained a significantly larger percentage of proficient raters than a group of law student...

As part of our work with the Oregon Task Force on Civil Commitment, we surveyed the judges and commitment investigators involved in the state's involuntary treatment program. In Oregon the investigators recommend whether or not a commitment hearing should be held. These mental health professionals indicated that current confidentiality laws restrict their access to important information. The in...

The aim of this taste test was to determine if participants could perceive the differences between a powdered inulin fibre supplement and a crystallized xylitol sweetener when mixed with a masking substance (i.e. orange juice) to be used in an upcoming randomized controlled trial. To assess any detectable taste differences, the triangle test for similarity was used. Respondents were blinded and...

Much of the interest in empirical studies of judges lies in the comparison of actual to ideal behavior. When we ask what makes a good judge or whether a judge rightly decided a case, we implicitly compare the judge's decisions to a normative standard. In some instances, the content of the normative standard is uncontroversial and its application straightforward. Hence, a trial judge who sentenc...

Why do some international courts and judges extensively borrow from other international courts while others do not? Answers to this question have important implications for debates on transjudicial communication, the diffusion of international legal norms, and international judicial behavior. Judges may use external sources because they help improve decisions or because it fits their ideologica...

In many sports, such as figure skating or gymnastics, the outcome of a performance does not rely exclusively on objective measurements, but on more subjective cues. Judges need high attentional capacities to process visual information and overcome fatigue. Also their emotion recognition abilities might have an effect in detecting errors and making a more accurate assessment. Moreover, the scori...