NCJ Number
50071
Journal
NLADA Briefcase Volume: 35 Issue: 3 Dated: (JUNE 1978) Pages: 87-91
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE ARTICLE INSTRUCTS ATTORNEYS IN THE USE OF PSYCHOLOGISTS FOR TRIAL WORK. THE BACKGROUND AND FUNCTION OF PSYCHOLOGISTS ARE DESCRIBED, AND AREAS OF COMPETENCE IN RELATION TO COURTROOM WORK ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND OF PSYCHOLOGISTS IS EXPLAINED, AND LICENSING REQUIREMENTS ARE CONSIDERED. FUNCTIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL DELINEATIONS BETWEEN PSYCHIATRISTS AND PSYCHOLOGISTS ARE NOTED. THE PSYCHOLOGIST HAS A KNOWLEDGE ABOUT A WIDER RANGE OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR, AND IS ORIENTED TOWARD RESEARCH. THEY HAVE EXPERTISE IN TESTING AND IN PSYCHOTHERAPY. GENERALLY, A PSYCHOLOGIST SHOULD BE ABLE TO TESTIFY OR BE USEFUL IN TRIAL WORK IN ONE OR MORE OF THESE AREAS: EVALUATION AND DIAGNOSIS PRESENTED BY THE OPPOSING SIDE; IN ANALYSIS OF A WIDE ARRAY OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR -- SUCH AS DECISIONMAKING, PORNOGRAPHY, AND DRUG USE -- WHICH PSYCHOLOGISTS HAVE STUDIED AND ON WHICH THERE IS A LARGE BODY OF PROFESSIONAL LITERATURE; AND IN SPECIFIC AREAS OF THE LAW, SUCH AS JURY SELECTION, JURY BEHAVIOR, EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY, AND INSANITY DEFENSE. APPLICATIONS ARE DISCUSSED. INSTRUCTIONS FOR LOCATING A PSYCHOLOGIST FOR COURTROOM WORK ARE PRESENTED. (DAG)