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Counseling Psychology 7537
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Special Topics: Psychology and the Law (Psy. D. level)

Required Texts:

Curt R. Bartol & Anne M. Bartol, 2004. Psychology and Law: Theory, Research and Application (3rd edition). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth

 

Robert Hare, 1999. Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Us. New York, NY: Guilford Publications.

 

Course Description:

This course is designed to be an introduction to the role of psychologists in the forensic context. While many psychologists never intend to work in the areas where psychology and the law interact, clients end up in legal cases and psychologists may be called upon to present information to legal bodies. The contribution of psychology to such legal topics as insanity, civil commitments, assessments, family law and correctional psychology will be surveyed. Selected topics will be covered in more detail including psychopaths, juvenile delinquency and ethics. How to write a clinical report will be the final topic.

 

Course Objectives:

1.   Students will become familiar with the different roles that psychologists may play within the legal and correctional systems.

2.      Students will demonstrate an understanding of how certain psychological constructs are defined by the legal system (e.g., competency to stand trial, insanity, civil commitment).

3.      Students will come to understand how psychological assessments are used for forensic purposes (e.g., risk assessments, family evaluations).

4.      Students will demonstrate familiarity about how certain psychological disorders are viewed by the legal system (e.g., psychopathy).

5.      Students will acquire knowledge of the impact of current legal standards and ethical considerations on psychological practice.

 

Course Evaluation:

Your grade in this course will be based on the following requirements:

1.      A mid-term exam (35%) This exam will be based on the readings and discussions pertaining to the first 7 topics outlined below. The exam will be a combination of multiple choice questions, short answer definitions and essay questions.  The exam will be the week of October 25th.

2.      Online assignments  (20%) Students will have to complete online assignments and exercises related to assigned readings. 

3.      A final exam worth (35%) This exam will be based on the readings and discussions pertaining to the last 8 topics outlined below. It will not be cumulative so will not cover material examined in the midterm. The exam will be a combination of multiple choice questions, short answer definitions and essay questions. 

4.       Course participation (10%). Students will participate in online focused discussions related to assigned readings.  Readings must be completed for thoughtful participation in the online discussions.

 

S 7

1

Introduction to Law & Psychology

Bartol & Bartol – Chapter 1

S 13

2

Psychological assessment, testing, and the law

B & B – Chapter 2

S 20

3

The legal system and being an expert witness

B & B – Chapter 3

S 27

4

Mental health law: Competency to stand trial

B & B – Chapter 4

O 4

5

Mental health law: Civil commitments

B & B – Chapter 5

O 11

6

The psychology of the jury

B & B – Chapter 6 & 7

O 18

7

The psychology of evidence: Eyewitness testimony

B & B – Chapter 8

O 25

8

Correctional psychology

B & B – Chapter 10

N 1

9

Psychology and family law

B & B – Chapter 11

N 8

10

Juvenile delinquency

B & B – Chapter 12

N 15

11

Psychology of criminal behavior

B & B – Chapter 13

N 22

12

Psychopathy

Hare

N 29

13

Psychology of law enforcement

B & B – Chapter 14

D 6

14

Ethical considerations in forensic psychology

 

D 13

15

Clinical reports and expert testimony

Sample reports will be posted online