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FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY - A GUIDE FOR LAWYERS AND THE MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONS

NCJ Number
60657
Author(s)
R GORDON
Date Published
1975
Length
140 pages
Annotation
THIS BOOK EXAMINES THE THEORY AND APPLICATION OF FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY IN ORDER TO GIVE LAWYERS AND MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AN UNDERSTANDING OF ITS USE IN CIVIL AND CRIMINAL CASES.
Abstract
FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY IS BASED ON THE CONCEPT THAT IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND THE LAW AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM, PERSONS MUST FIRST UNDERSTAND THE PEOPLE WHO CREATE, INTERPRET, AND PRACTICE IT. ATTORNEYS SHOULD SUBJECT THEMSELVES TO CRITICAL SELF-ANALYSIS IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND THEIR EMOTIONAL STATES, THEIR DRIVES, AND THEIR LIFESTYLES, BOTH AS EXPERIENCED BY THEM AND AS EXPECTED BY SOCIETY. SIMILARLY, ATTENTION TO PSYCHOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES IN DESIGNING AN OFFICE AND FURNISHINGS, IN DEFINING THE OFFICE SECRETARY'S ROLE AND PROCEDURES, AND IN CONDUCTING INTERVIEWS WITH CLIENTS ALL SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECT THE FORMATION OF RAPPORT BETWEEN ATTORNEY AND CLIENT. UNDERSTANDING OF JUDGES AND JURORS' PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS AND MOTIVES WILL ENABLE ATTORNEYS TO RELATE TO JUDGES IN NONTHREATENED AND NONTHREATENING WAYS AND TO MAKE ORAL TESTIMONY AND DEMONSTRATIVE EVIDENCE MORE REALISTIC, UNDERSTANDABLE, AND PERSUASIVE. USE OF PRINCIPLES OF FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY IN SEVERAL TEXAS CASES RESULTED IN THE LARGEST DAMAGE AWARDS TO DATE FOR PERSONAL INJURY CASES IN THE COURTS INVOLVED. NUMEROUS CASE EXAMPLES ILLUSTRATE HOW FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY CAN HELP ATTORNEYS BOTH UNDERSTAND AND AID THEIR CLIENTS AND THEREBY DEVELOP A MORE EFFECTIVE LAW PRACTICE. ILLUSTRATIONS, FIGURES, TABLES, FOOTNOTES WHICH INCLUDE REFERENCES, AND AN INDEX ARE INCLUDED. (CFW)