Psychology 363 - Psychology & the Law

Spring
2017
01
4.00
Allen Hart
W 02:00PM-04:30PM
Amherst College
PSYC-363-01-1617S
FROS 211
ajhart@amherst.edu

Psychology strives to understand (and predict) human behavior. The law aims to control behavior and punish those who violate laws. At the intersection of these two disciplines are questions such as: Why do people obey the law? What are the most effective means for punishing transgressions so as to encourage compliance with the law? The idea that our legal system is the product of societal values forms the heart of this course. We will repeatedly return to that sentiment as we review social psychological principles, theories, and findings addressing how the principal actors in legal proceedings affect each other. We will survey research on such topics as: criminal versus civil procedure, juror selection criteria, juror decision-making, jury size and decision rule, the death penalty, insanity defense, and eyewitness reliability. To a lesser degree the course will also consider (1) issues that arise from the impact of ideas from clinical psychology and other mental health-related fields upon the legal system, and (2) the impact that the legal system has had upon the field of psychology.


Requisite: PSYC 220.  Limited to 15 students. Spring semester. Professor Hart.

Permission is required for interchange registration during all registration periods.