Introduction to Legal Psychology

Introduction to Legal Psychology. Mahesh A Tripathi Assistant Professor ( Forensic Clinical Psychology) SCBS, RRU.

Introduction. Legal Psychology is a modern term that refers to the study and use of psychology as it applies to the legal system and people who come into conflict with the legal system. People who work in the area of legal psychology work with methods of understanding, evaluating and questioning suspects, accused, and offenders investigating crimes and crime scenes. The term is used to differentiate this field of applied psychology from the more theoretically-based clinical psychology..

Law and Psychology. Both are two separate disciplines, but have much in common. While psychology’s goal is to understand behavior and law’s goal to regulate it, both fields make assumptions about what causes people to act the way they do. Many psychologists research how to improve the legal system..

Conti... U nderstanding of psychology becomes a very important factor to determine the cause of action of an individual. Law is made for supervising human behaviour which deviates from existing social norms of a particular society. Law was developed as a subject with the progress of human socialization and use of psychology was there since its emergence but at that time psychology & philosophy were used interchangeably. Gradually , psychology developed as a science and started finding its application in all the related fields of human science especially in the field of law and justice..

Conti... During 19 th century with the milestone contribution of Dr. Sigmund Freud psychoanalysis popularized and started getting acceptance from the various experts. There is no clear time line from where we can say that psychology got acceptance in legal system but it is clear that the thought was brainstormed by Dr. Freud. A ppreciation of the possible applications of psychology to the legal system began to emerge in 1906, when during a speech Dr. Freud mentioned that Austrian judge’s decision are influenced by the unconscious mind processes ..

The application of psychology started in different modalities of law and justice. The plethora of applications of psychology to law has been differentiated in three terms; Psychology in law : R efers to the specific applications of psychology within law: such as the reliability of an eyewitness testimony, mental status of the defendant and parent’s suitability for child custody in divorce cases. Psychology and law : Coined by Blackburn in 1996 to denote the psycho-legal researches into offenders, lawyers, magistrates, and judges. Psychology of law : This term is used to refer to psychological research in the area of moral development and public perceptions or public attitude towards various penal sanctions, punishments and sentencing..

A new term was introduced in late 20 th century was ‘Legal psychology” and it is defined as the scientific study of the effects of law on people, and the effect people have on the law. Legal psychology also includes the application of the study and practice of psychology to legal institutions and people who come into conflict with law..

Need and Importance. Psychology can help the present decision makers in making decisions by providing more accurate images and pictures of human perceptions and preferences. It helps to check the veracity of witnesses, as eyewitnesses are often known to be influenced by or afraid of the accused. Psychological studies include the examination of different areas which have legal and social significance. Pronouncing judgments considering the psychological aspects of the accused’s mind ensures justice in its real meaning ..

Legal V. Forensic Psychology. Legal psychology. Deals with cognitive and social principles and their usage in the legal system. Based on empirical and psychological research of law along with legal institutions. The relevance of the subject can be seen in legal proceedings in different manners :.

Academics and research – Legal psychologists basically conduct empirical research on new legal topics, which are yet to be popularized. They also work as mentors and guide the upcoming legal representatives. Advisory role – Many a time it is seen that legal psychologists plays an advisory role in court systems. They advise the judges and legal decision makers on some psychological issues pertaining to the concerned case..

Trial consulting – Sometimes, legal psychologists also work for trial consulting. In some cases, a psychologist who works as an academician is called up as a trial consultant when their expertise is helpful in any particular case. Policy making and legislative guidance – A legal psychologist’s work is based on empirical research and many a time there is a need to establish some policies based on empirical research..

Amicus briefs – Amicus briefs primarily means to provide opinions with a scientific backup and statistics. But the assistance which a legal professional provides in the form of amicus briefs is questionable. Expert witnesses – Legal psychologists are well trained to handle legal issues even though they have no formal training. They are helpful in testifying the witnesses. They also test the memory of eye witnesses whereas the forensic psychologist particularly testifies the competency of the defendant..

Psychology of Police. The law enforcement system, which concerns the order of the community; the internal regulation of a state are termed as the Police Many law enforcement agencies are seeking the expertise of Forensic Psychologists, and some even hire in-house Police Psychologists for a variety of duties. The world of Psychology has a very diverse cluster of specialties. This is a subtype of Forensic Psychology..

Police Psychologists In India. Psychologists working with police may do not necessarily have to become police officers, but it is vital that a clear understanding of the nature of police work is acquired. Areas or work: Selection and Employment Maintenance of police forces Assessment and evaluation the potential, personality, intelligence, and overall fitness for the line of work Scheduling , educating to deal with stress and anger Assist police officers in dealings with mentally disabled persons Provide services with critical incidents, excessive force issues, shootings, police suicides and psychological issues, fitness-for-duty evaluations, and also with special unit evaluations Provide counseling services for officers as well as their families, which can include family and marital issues, divorce, loss, injury, and stress.

Police Cynicism. It is an attitude that there is no hope for the world and a view of humanity at its worst. This is produced by the police officer’s constant contact with offenders and what he or she perceives as miscarriages of justice, such as lenient court decisions and plea-bargaining. Cynicism is an emotional plank deeply entrenched in the ethos of the police world and it serves equally well for attack or defense. For many reasons police are particularly vulnerable to cynicism. When they succumb, they lose faith in people, society, and eventually in themselves..

Stress in Policing. Although most people have stress in their careers or lives, studies have found evidence of particularly high rates of stress in policing We believe that policing is the most stressful profession among all professions in India. Stress alone probably does not cause illness, but it contributes to circumstances in which diseases may take hold and flourish. Stress weakens and disturbs the body’s defense mechanisms and play an important role in the development of several physical problems..

Mental and Physical Problems Associated with Stress.

Categories of Stress. F our general categories of stress with which police officers are confronted: 1 ) External stress . P roduced through real threats and dangers, such as responding to gun runs and other dangerous assignments. 2 ) Organizational stress . P roduced by the elements inherent in the character of the police service, such as constant adjustment to changing tours of duty, odd working hours, working holidays, strict discipline..

3) Personal stress . Produced by the interpersonal characteristics of belonging to the police organization, such as difficulties in getting along with other colleagues. 4 ) Operational stress . Produced by the daily need to confront the tragedies of urban life: the need to deal with derelicts, criminals, the mentally disturbed, and the drug addicted; the need to engage in dangerous activity to protect a public that appears to be unappreciative of the police; and the constant awareness of the possibility of being legally liable for actions performed while on duty.

Effects of Stress on Police personnel. Emotional detachment From various aspects of daily life Reduced efficiency Absenteeism and early retirement Excessive aggressiveness (which may trigger an increase in citizen complaints) Alcoholism and other substance abuse problems Marital or other family problems (for example, extramarital affairs, divorce, or domestic violence) Posttraumatic stress disorder Heart attacks, ulcers, weight gain, and other health problems Suicide.