PSY 3173 Lecture : Forensic Psych Notes
21 Nov 2012
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Document Summary
Broad definition of forensic psychology: a research endeavor and/or a professional practice that examines human behaviour in relation to the legal system. 3 ways in which psychology + law interact. Psych and the law, psych in the law, psych of the law. Psychology and the law: psychology is used to examine assumptions made by the law or legal system. For example: do offender treatment programs work (the assumption is that they do) Psychology in the law: psychology being used in the legal system as it is operating. For example: expert testimony, police officers using everyday methods of psychology on the job. Psychology of the law: using psychology to understand the law itself. 7 ways in which psychology and law differ (hess) Looks at how groups do things and why. Criteria for defining truth in psychology is strict. Law is learned through stare decisis (precedent within the law) It is based around an individual rather than a group.
