Psychology of Law: 3 Critical Empirical Legal Problems

Starting with an introduction to what psychology is, and what it is not, the tutorial moves to discuss and critically analyse key studies in psychological research demonstrating: the fallibility of forensic profiling, the malleability of human memory relevant to false memory syndrome, and finally the vulnerability of juries to prejudicial evidence. These key studies demonstrate how forensic profiling may sometimes mislead police investigations, how false memories can be planted in the mind of witnesses, and how prejudicing evidence, such as prior convictions, can bias trials in which very little other corroboration is evident. These thought provoking findings are presented in the context of core landmark findings within the psychology of law literatures, and will provide the student and lecturer with much to appraise and work with to advance complementary literatures within law, such as a critique of the rules of evidence and procedure. Finally, a select reading list is provided to aid the student and lecturer for future reference.