PSYC-217

This course introduces the ways in which psychological research and practice influence the legal system and, to some extent, how law influences mental health practitioners. Topics that illustrate issues related to science vs. pseudoscience, improving measurement and decision making, mental health, and human diversity will receive emphasis. The general topics may include: Investigation techniques, pretrial consulting, forensic assessment in criminal and civil cases, psychology of the trial and jury, punishment and correction, psychology of victims, discrimination, and civil rights. The specific topics may include: Psychological ethics, profiling, interrogation, lie detection, jury selection, competence to stand trial, eyewitness testimony accuracy, the insanity defense, jury decision-making, mental illness and retardation of the offender, psychopathy, battered spouse syndrome, and contributions of psychology to legal cases related to race, gender, and sexual orientation. Prerequisite: Psychology 110.

Saved seats by class for this course are: Seniors/Juniors-20, Sophmores-10, FY-0. Seats will be adjusted every morning the day a new class registers.

Academic Credit, DIST-SOCIAL SCIENCES, Law, Culture & Humanities (LCH)