Zakotvení v soudní síni

The anchoring effect describes the influence of irrelevant information or value on the subsequent judgment. Such information or value serves as an anchor which biases the judgment. The text first summarizes possible explanations of the anchoring effect. The process by which the anchor affects a particular judgement influences the possibility of debiasing. The paper then discusses manifestations of the anchoring effect in the context of the judiciary. Proposal of prosecutors and/or defense lawyers or the maximum limits of punishment can serve as an anchor in this area. Even professional lawyers can be affected by the anchoring effect. Finally, the paper suggests changes which may lead to a decrease of the anchoring effect in the judiciary.