Psychology and Law


Psychology and Law

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Psychology & Law


Psychology and Law

The American Psychology-Law Society, states that "The field of psychology and law involves the application of scientific and professional aspects of psychology to questions and issues relating to law and the legal system." and that the "field encompasses contributions made in a number of different areas - research, clinical practice, public policy and teaching/training among them - from a variety of orientations within the field of psychology, such as developmental, social, cognitive, and clinical."

There is clearly an overlap between psychology and the law and the study and practice of forensic psychology although a useful distinction outlined by Professor Christopher Cronin is that whereas forensic psychology relates to the application of clinical specialties to legal institutions and people who come into contact with the law; legal psychology relates primarily to  experimental or research-oriented areas of psychology as applied to legal questions. In other words, psychology and law explores both "the scientific study of the effect of the law on people" and "the effect people have on the law."


Introduction to the Field of Psychology and Law





The field of psychology and law uses the tools and uses the research methods and findings of social psychology and cognitive psychology, developmental psychology and clinical psychology to examine legal assumptions to test whether they really work or not and think about ways to make them better.

Jennifer S. Hunt, Ph.D


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Psychology and Law

Quite simply a must visit site for anybody interested in psychology and law. The American Psychology-Law Society is both a free-standing organization as well as (Division 41) of the American Psychological Association. The society is an inter-disciplinary organization devoted to scholarship, practice, and public service in psychology and law.

Students interested in pursuing a career in forensic psychology are encouraged to become student affiliates of the APA and to join Division 41. They should also read Careers in Psychology and the Law: A Guide for Prospective Studentsa very useful and informative booklet published by The Careers and Training Committee of the American Psychology- Law Society.


Psychology and Law

The European Association of Psychology & Law Student Society (EAPL-S) aims to provide students a cohesive, well-maintained, and excitingly innovative student society. EAPL-S hopes to support the students of today and the scientific community of tomorrow by:


  • Providing opportunities for students to network within psychology & law.
  • Establishing student-oriented incentives at related conferences and events.
  • Providing funding opportunities to increase student mobility and research internationally.
  • Encouraging collaborations between students.
  • Encouraging collaborations between established researchers and students.
  • Providing resources to attract students to Psychology/Law.

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Criminal Profiling: An Introductory Guide Book Cover and Description.