LEGAL STATUS OF THE PSYCHOLOGIST IN THE COURTROOM

• NCJ Number: 46109
• Journal: Journal of Psychiatry and Law Volume: 5 Issue: 1 Dated: (SPRING 1977) Pages: 41-54
• Author(s): M L PERLIN
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 14 pages
• Corporate Author: Federal Legal Publications, Inc
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PRESENTED AT THE AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE, WASHINGTON, DC, SEPTEMBER 1976

Annotation

REASONS BEHIND JUDGES' AND JURORS' PERCEPTION THAT PSYCHOLOGISTS ARE LESS CREDIBLE THAN FORENSIC PSYCHIATRISTS AS EXPERT WITNESSES ARE EXPLORED.

Abstract

EXAMINATION OF THE ROOTS OF THE ASSUMPTION THAT THE PSYCHOLOGIST IS A 'SECOND-RATE' EXPERT REVEALS THAT PSYCHOLOGISTS THEMSELVES HAVE HELPED TO PERPETUATE THE ASSUMPTION. ALTHOUGH THE ROLE OF THE PSYCHOLOGIST AS EXPERT WITNESS HAS BEEN LIMITED BY LAWYERS AND PSYCHIATRISTS, PSYCHOLOGISTS TOO OFTEN LIMIT THEIR OWN FORENSIC ROLE THROUGH THEIR RELUCTANCE TO TAKE THE WITNESS STAND AND THEIR BEHAVIOR ON THE STAND. CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS HAVE A NUMBER OF SKILLS -- ASSESSMENT, TESTING, INTELLIGENCE/PERSONALITY EVALUATION, ETC. -THAT UNIQUELY QUALIFY THEM TO PERFORM CERTAIN FORENSIC WORK. PARTICIPATION IN THE JUDICIAL PROCESS ENABLES PSYCHOLOGISTS TO SERVE AS ADVOCATES FOR SOCIAL CHANGE. PSYCHOLOGISTS SHOULD CONFRONT THE BIAS AGAINST THEM AND EDUCATE THEMSELVES WITH REGARD TO THE ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTIMONY IN THE LITIGATION PROCESS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--LKM)