Undergraduate Catalog 2026-2027
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PSY 216 Psychology and Law: Forensic Psychology Credits: (3)
An exploration of the issues and dilemmas created by the interaction between psychology and the law. Current psychological research and theory will be applied to evaluating the uses and abuses of the insanity defense; understanding, predicting and regulating violent behavior; the role of the psychologist as expert witness in civil and criminal cases; the application of psychological research to jury selection, trial techniques and the evaluation of evidence. Prerequisite(s): PSY 103 .
Designation(s): Liberal Arts
Learning Outcomes
1. Compare and contrast the basic assumptions, training and methodology used by the disciplines of psychology and law.
2. Identify significant ethical issues and dilemmas related to the interface between psychology and the law.
3. Explore the role of the media in shaping public perceptions of the legal process.
4. Identify current psychological research and theory applied to :
a. issues of civil and criminal psychiatric commitment
b. understanding, predicting and regulating violent behavior
c. the uses and abuses of the insanity defense
d. the reliability of eyewitness testimony
e. the reliability of the forensic use of hypnosis
f. the reliability of the polygraph and other “truth testing” techniques
g. the reliability of the child as witness
h. usefulness of persuasive techniques by attorneys
i. nonverbal indications of deception
j. order of presentation of evidence
k. defendant, witness, attorney and judge characteristics
l. jury selection and jury deliberation
m. use of psychologists and other mental health professionals as expert witnesses
n. understanding the victim experience
o. understanding family conflict as resolved by the courts
5. Identify at least six “famous” legal cases which have demonstrated the complex interplay between psychology and the law
6. Identify at least four legal areas of concern to the general public and practitioners of the law and psychology and suggest how psychological research can be applied to improve and resolve these issues of concern.
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