Legal Psychology

This course will provide an overview of the role of psychological research in the legal system. Students will be asked to consider how psychology is intertwined with legal decisions of guilt, a defendant's competency to stand trial, eyewitness behavior, jury selection, jury decision making, capital punishment, the insanity defense, and other relevant topics. In addition to the text, students will read empirical studies and Supreme Court decisions relevant to the above topics. As psychology's role is contemplated, the strengths and limitations of the empirical research will be evaluated. (PSYC 0105 or PSCI 0102 or PSCI 0104; not open to first-year students) 3 hrs. lect.