NCJ Number
59868
Date Published
1979
Length
17 pages
Annotation
TESTIMONY OF PSYCHIATRISTS AND EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM SOCIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS INDICATES NO UNIVERSAL PERSONALITY CHANGES OCCUR IN LAW STUDENTS SUBJECTED TO THE STRESS OF LEGAL EDUCATION.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE EVIDENCE SHOWING A DIRECT LINKAGE BETWEEN EXPERIENCED STRESS AND CONSEQUENT BEHAVIOR IN LAW STUDENTS IS COMPLETELY LACKING. MOST OF THE PRESUMED EFFECTS OF STRESS MIGHT BE ATTRIBUTABLE TO OTHER CAUSES, ALTHOUGH SUCH A DETERMINATION WOULD REQUIRE FURTHER RESEARCH. STUDIES WHICH HAVE INDICATED CERTAIN EFFECTS UPON LAW STUDENTS IN STRESSFUL SITUATIONS DO NOT INDICATE THAT SUCH EFFECTS ARE PERNICIOUS. RATHER STRESS MAY PLAY A USEFUL PART IN PREPARING THE LAW STUDENT FOR A CAREER WHICH AROUSES ANXIETY, AND WHICH CONTAINS DISTASTEFUL ELEMENTS. THE SOCRATIC METHOD MAY PREPARE A LAWYER FOR THE BATTLE OF WILLS REQUIRED BY THE ADVERSARY SYSTEM OF JUSTICE. JUST AS THE DISSECTING ROOM FORCES THE FLEDGLING DOCTOR TO SUPPRESS HIS OR HER EMOTIONAL REACTIONS TO BODILY VIOLATION, SO MAY THE PROCEDURES OF LAW SCHOOL FORCE THE ASPIRING LAWYER TO CONQUER THE MORAL REACTIONS TO A CLIENT'S CAUSE. THE CONCEPT OF 'DEFORMATION PROFESSIONELLE' WHICH IMPLIES A WARPING OF MORAL VALUES IN THE PROFESSIONAL WORLD, MAY APPLY LESS TO LAW STUDENTS THAN TO OTHER PROFESSIONAL TRAINEES. A SURVEY OF LAW STUDENTS INDICATED THAT THE INTENSE ANXIETIES OF THE FIRST YEAR OF STUDY QUICKLY SUBSIDE, AND THAT ANY CHANGES IN THE PERSONALITIES OF THE STUDENTS ARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE VOLUNTARY INVOLVEMENT OF THE STUDENTS IN THEIR PROFESSION. FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED. (TWK)