Psychology and the Law

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Psychology and the Law

• Joyce Carbonell
• Psychology Department
• Florida State University

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Psychology and the Law

• Also called
• Forensic Psychology
• Correctional psychology
• Police psychology
• Applications of scientific and professional
  aspects of psychology to questions and issues
  that relate to law and the legal system

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Psychology /Law

• psychology in law
• the use of psychology and psychological experts
  in the legal system.
• psychology of law
• development of theories about how law and legal
  procedures operate to affect our society

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Roles of the Psychologist In the Legal system

• Courtroom
• Corrections
• Law enforcement
• Victim assistance
• Research

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Courtroom- Expert Witness

• Mental state of defendants
• Degree of damage suffered
• Accidents
• Spousal violence/domestic violence
• Discrimination/sexual harassment
• Impact of media on jury behavior
• (in theory not an advocate for one side)

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Courtroom-as an advocate

• Jury selection process
• Research on jury pool
• Assistance in cross examination
• In this case you commit your skills to one side

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Corrections

• Evaluation and classification
• Therapy
• Program development
• Research
• Suicide assessments

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Law Enforcement

• Stress reduction
• Fitness for duty
• Employment screenings
• Victim witness assistance
• Consultant for specialty areas
• CISM/CISD

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Victim Assistance

• Within law enforcement
• Within specific types of service agencies
• (domestic violence centers, rape crisis programs
• State attorney
• Difference between victim advocate and victim
  assistance

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Research

• Basic research that is used in expert testimony
• Research on specific topics such as assessment
  that may be relied on in court
• Research specific to legal issues

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OTHER ROLES?

• Mediators
• Legislative work
• Training roles

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American Psychology -Law Society

• web page on careers and training
• provides general info and information about
  specific schools
• American Psychology Law Society
• http//www.ap-ls.org/
• From there go to pages on careers, students, etc.
• American Academy of Forensic Psychology
• http//www.abfp.com