Psychology 217: Psychology of Law

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.