According to Michael, his psychological knowledge is particularly useful because “the better a lawyer is able to understand people and deal with them effectively, the more successful he will be in the legal profession.” Therefore, there are many advantages and disadvantages of psychology in law school, for which it is sometimes appreciated and sometimes criticized. However, it has undeniably become an integral part of the legal system in our time. Jonathan Golding, Ph.D., is Professor of Psychology at the University of Kentucky. Anne Lippert, Ph.D., is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Kentucky. 6. Develop policy and set legislative direction: The work of a forensic psychologist is based on empirical studies, and regulations based on scientific research are often required. As a result, they help national and state legislators in times of crisis. Visit our website to learn more about possible careers for psychology majors and follow us on Twitter. 4. Experts: Despite their lack of formal training, forensic psychologists are well equipped to deal with legal concerns. They are useful for testimony.
They also test eyewitness memories, while the forensic psychologist focuses on the competence of the accused. 11. Fitness to stand trial: People with mental or physical illness cannot endure the process because it is too long and exhausting. As a result, forensic psychology helps assess who can survive a process and who should be immediately transferred to a psychiatric facility. A legal system is necessary for the proper functioning of a society, as it attempts to solve many of the problems that exist in today`s society. Although some legal authorities do not consider psychology to be a relevant discipline for law, it is relevant because law embodies behavioral theories. Legal rules, procedures and doctrines reflect the fundamental assumptions of human nature. [3] Shari Seidman, Usinf Psychology to Control Law, (October 22, 2021, 5:12 p.m.), wwws.law.northwestern.edu/faculty/fulltime/diamond/papers/usingpsychologytocontrollaw.pdf On the other hand, it can be concluded that the concept of psychology leads to improved laws and legal decisions. Psychology is a framework that acts as the next big step in perfecting legal changes using the concepts of legal and forensic psychology, which helps to add new dimensions to legal problems with solution. Therefore, psychology provides a scientific implementation that leads to better justice towards the victim. Therefore, thorough rules/guidelines for the implementation of psychological concepts should be established on a case-by-case basis. 3.
Advisory function: Forensic psychologists are often observed in courtrooms acting in an advisory capacity. They provide psychological counselling to judges and other legal decision-makers in this area. In fact, educational programs are beginning to recognize the enormous overlap between psychology and law, as evidenced by the growing number of universities offering combined degrees in law and psychology. Psychologists are looking for ways to make the justice system more efficient. Psychology is considered the science of studying the mental aspect that determines human behavior. However, the application of psychology in the legal world deals with the determination of various factors such as the mens rea in the crime, the authenticity of the witness and, above all, the type of punishment to be granted, since it is based on several factors, such as the psychological torment inflicted on the victim in the circumstances of rape cases. Accidents caused in motor vehicle accidents, etc., as well as various mitigating and aggravating factors that have led the accused to commit a crime that helps the courts reach a just conclusion and provides fair justice to the victims. Thus, the widespread field of psychology used in law includes the social, developmental, cognitive and clinical aspects of psychology. However, it contains certain limitations such that psychology is an area of science that does not offer security, whereas law requires limited certainty in family matters, criminal law, etc. In addition, the job of a psychologist is to act as an amicus curia letter, but in some cases, due to a lack of training, the amicus curiae letter is invoked only to quote and support a psychologist`s personal opinion. [1] Psychology has been defined as a science that studies the mental aspect that determines human behavior.
In short, he studies the human mind and its effects on human behavior. These include conative, cognitive and affective aspects. Psychological studies cover conscious and unconscious states of mind. Over time, many things have been incorporated into the field of psychology. In the legal field, it is useful to determine the veracity of witnesses, the mens rea of a criminal during the commission of the crime and, above all, what punishment should be given to a person, taking into account his psychological state of mind. Psychology has, to some extent, begun to view a criminal as a person with a mental disorder and therefore suggests that these people should not be punished, but should be treated medically. In summary, the concept of psychology contributes to better laws and legal decisions. Psychology is a framework that is the next big step in perfecting legal change using legal and medico-legal psychological principles that help bring new dimensions to legal challenges while providing solutions. As a result, psychology facilitates scientific implementation, leading to greater justice for victims.
Even the “American Society of Law and Psychology” suggests that the application of psychology in the field of law is to implement clinical specialties in the legal world to people who come with the interaction of such laws. Thus, forensic psychology deals with social and cognitive principles that are widely used in the fields of research and science to conduct empirical research on the legal issues at stake. In addition, most psychologists act as advisors and even process advisors in courts to help judges draw conclusions. Moreover, since such a study is based on empirical research, in most cases legislators ask them during crises to dispel their doubts and define a technical policy. [2] In addition, psychologists are required by the courts to testify as legal experts under the Indian Evidence Act of 1872, for example, the job of a forensic psychologist is to examine the memory of a witness, while on the other hand, a forensic psychologist helps determine the abilities of an accused. Although law and psychology are two different concepts, their application in the field of law is very beneficial. 9. Prediction of violence and risk reduction: Forensic psychology can also help determine whether or not a person has violent tendencies, as well as the potential harm such a person could cause to themselves or others.
When an accused is detained or released, this approach is usually used. There is a clear link between psychology and law, as well as forensic psychology, which deals with the application of psychological specialties to legal institutions and people who come into contact with the law. Forensic psychology is primarily concerned with the application of experimental or research-oriented aspects of psychology to legal issues. 7. Forensic Psychology: Forensic psychology is the study of crime and other legal issues through the lens of psychology. Forensic psychology is described by American psychologists as the use of clinical specializations in legal contexts. Forensic pathologists support court proceedings in various ways: law and psychology work hand in hand, helping the court to take into account the technical aspects. As has already been demonstrated in various cases, no legal system is perfect. However, psychology is a step towards perfecting a legal system. Any study that links psychological principles to legal applications is considered forensic psychology.
When, on the one hand, forensic psychology provides knowledge on the mental state of accused persons and witnesses, and also provides information on the treatment of the mentally ill; On the other hand, forensic psychologists in the form of researchers and academics help the development of the legal system by opening up new perspectives on legal issues and proposing different solutions. Therefore, the role that psychology plays in the legal system changes our legal system and helps maintain justice, equality and good conscience.