Advances in Psychology and Law

The field of psychology and law encompasses a wide variety of diverse topics. These topics have a number of real-world consequences for suspects, offenders, witnesses, litigants, factfinders (e.g., juries and judges), and others. This inaugural volume contains eight chapters, each focusing on a different topic within psychology and law. The first three chapters address pre-trial issues. The next three chapters deal with issues regarding trial procedures. Later chapters address the faulty perceptions that underlie sex offender policies (e.g., housing restrictions) and how these perceptions have led to ineffective policies. They offer suggestions for reforming such policies. In the final chapter, Robbennolt and Hans present an overview of the ways that tort law interacts with psychology. This review discusses the various ways that psychological theory can inform several central issues and domains of civil law, including causation, contributory negligence, and tort damages.

Monica Miller is an Associate Professor at the University of Nevada, Reno with a split appointment between the Criminal Justice Department and the Interdisciplinary Social Psychology PhD Program. She is on the editorial board of the journal Psychology, Crime & Law. She has authored or edited 6 books and over 100 articles and chapters. Her primary research interests are in jury decision making and factors that relate to community sentiment toward various legal issues.

Brian Bornstein is a Professor in the Department of Psychology, Courtesy Professor of Law, and the Director of the Law-Psychology Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is past editor of the journal Psychology, Crime & Law. He has authored or edited 15 books and more than 150 journal articles and chapters. His primary research interests are jury decision making and eyewitness memory.