Psychology and Law

Product Description

Psychology and law are disciplines and professions that are, from several vantage points, worlds apart. On the other hand, their interactions are many, and take various forms. Psychologists frequently appear in court as expert witnesses, and they actively research a number of topics directly relevant to law and legal practice. Similarly, lawyers and other legal professionals will often face questions in their professional practice that are inherently psychological in nature.This book introduces readers to some intersections of psychology and law. The authors have several audiences of reader in mind. Lawyers, law students and legal professionals will find the book useful, as will clinical psychologists, research psychologists and psychology students. Indeed, any reader interested in the interface of the disciplines of psychology and law will find a variety of topics here from which there is both practical and theoretical gain to be had. The editors have assembled a team of authors from a mix of backgrounds. All have considerable exposure to the practice of psychology in the legal terrain.Specific topics addressed in this book include:• psychological assessment in forensic settings• crime and policing• child custody assessment• the detection of deception and truthfulness• eyewitness testimony and identification• the role and treatment of child witnesses in legal proceedings• assessing dangerousness and the risk of violence• the psychologist as expert witness• investigative psychology and psychological profiling• psychology and human rights• insanity and diminished capacity defences.