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In the mid-1970s, as a social psychologist dedicated to the application of knowl edge, I welcomed our field's emerging interest in the legal system. I have al ways been fascinated by jury trials-something about the idea that two con ceptions of the truth were in irrevocable conflict and jurors could choose only one of them. More important, the criminal justice system is a major social force that has been ignored by social psychologists for most of the twentieth century. As I systematically began to explore the applications of social psycho logical concepts to the law 20 years ago, I experienced the delight of discovery similar to that of a child under a Christmas tree. It has been satisfying to be among the cohort of researchers who have studied the legal system, especially trial juries, from a psychological perspective. I believe we have learned much that would be useful if the system were to be revised. Hlf the system were to be revised" . . . there's the rub. As I have stated, my original motivation was the application of knowledge. Like other social scien tists, I believed-perhaps arrogantly-that the results of our research efforts could be used to make trial juries operate with more efficiency, accuracy, and satisfaction. Qver the last two decades, much knowledge has accumulated. How can we put this knowledge to work? Judges are the gatekeepers of the legal system.
List of contents
1: How Do Judges Decide?.- 2: Opinion Formation And Expression.- 3: Attempts to Influence Judges.- 4: The Role of the Chief Justice.- 5: Responses to Influence.- 6: History of the Psychology-Law Relationship.- 7: The American Psychological Association'S Organized Amicus Activity.- 8: The Apa's Amicus Attempts To Influence The Supreme Court.- 9: Unsuccessful Attempts to Influence the Court.- 10: The Future of the Psychology-Law Relationship.- References.- Name Index.
Summary
In the mid-1970s, as a social psychologist dedicated to the application of knowl edge, I welcomed our field's emerging interest in the legal system. More important, the criminal justice system is a major social force that has been ignored by social psychologists for most of the twentieth century.
Report
`This book should certainly be in a Christmas stocking of any non-lawyer likely to act as an expert witness or whose work involves challenging the legal profession to change. It also should be of great interest to litigation lawyers, whether they are directly involved in persuading courts to listen to science or merely a general interest. It remains to be said that Wrightman writes extremely well, at least from a non-scientist's perspective. Judicial Decision-Making is clear, concise and jargon-free, enabling a lawyer to follow the scientific discussion with confidence.'
Applied Cognitive Psychology 15:693-701 (2001)
