NCJ Number
17716
Journal
Mississippi Law Journal Volume: 44 Issue: 4 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1974) Pages: 647-670
Date Published
1974
Length
24 pages
Annotation
THE AUTHOR CONTENDS THAT LAW STUDENTS' LACK OF INTEREST IN CRIMINAL LAW IS PRINCIPALLY CAUSED BY INTERNAL PSYCHOLOGICAL CONFLICTS ENGENDERED BY THE SUBJECT MATTER AND SUBSTANTIVE PROBLEMS OF CRIME IN ITS SOCIAL SETTING.
Abstract
HE SUGGESTS THAT THE 'INTERNAL FUNCTION' OF PSYCHIATRY AS APPLIED IN THE TEACHING AND STUDY OF CRIMINAL LAW IS TO HELP LAW STUDENTS UNDERSTAND AND COPE WITH THEIR EMOTIONAL INVOLVEMENT WITH CRIMINAL LAW MATERIALS (REVIVAL OF REPRESSED DRIVES AND IDENTIFICATION WITH FACT SITUATIONS) AND WITH THEIR REACTIONS TO THE CASE AND SOCRATIC TEACHING METHODS. THE 'EXTERNAL FUNCTION' IS IDENTIFIED AS FURNISHING INFORMATION ON THE CAUSES OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR, POTENTIAL METHODS OF DEALING WITH CRIMINALITY, AND THE CRITERIA BY WHICH ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR IS TO BE OFFICIALLY IDENTIFIED. THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES THAT BOTH THE INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL FUNCTIONS DEMAND THAT PSYCHIATRIC MATERIAL, AND, IDEALLY, A PSYCHIATRIST OR PSYCHOANALYST, BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LAW SCHOOL CURRICULUM.