Psychology and Law
Introduction to the areas of overlap between psychology and the law. Topics include roles of psychologists in legal settings, accuracy of eyewitness testimony, jury processes, accuracy of polygraph examinations, and issues surrounding the insanity defense.
Prerequisite: PSYC 101.
Outcomes: Students will learn to analyze biases in the U.S. jury system, elucidate the weaknesses of eyewitness testimony, outline the issues in the insanity defense, understand the issues in Rape Trauma Syndrome and Battered Spouse Syndrome, understand the methods and effects of scientific jury selection, understand the complex issues surrounding confessions, and view the US justice system in a social justice context.
Prerequisite: PSYC 101.
Outcomes: Students will learn to analyze biases in the U.S. jury system, elucidate the weaknesses of eyewitness testimony, outline the issues in the insanity defense, understand the issues in Rape Trauma Syndrome and Battered Spouse Syndrome, understand the methods and effects of scientific jury selection, understand the complex issues surrounding confessions, and view the US justice system in a social justice context.