When psychology and law intersect in a discipline known as forensic psychology, applications are widespread and impactful. The field is now an important area of study, with educational options like the online Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Applied Psychology – Forensic Psychology program from Florida Institute of Technology providing students with skills and knowledge to enter the profession.
Forensic psychology became a formalized practice over the past five decades and is now an official psychology specialty recognized by the American Psychological Association (APA). The field continues to grow as interdisciplinary approaches to practice evolve.
Careers at the Intersection of Psychology and the Law
As forensic psychology develops, so do related career pursuits. For instance, Florida Tech’s online forensic psychology program prepares students for career opportunities such as applied behavioral science specialist, case manager and criminologist.
The breadth of careers in forensic psychology reflects the many ways psychological study and practice can be applied in criminal justice and law enforcement. Here are ten applications for psychology in law:
1. Criminal Profiling
Forensic psychologists known as criminal profilers can examine criminal behavior at a macro level to help isolate common traits and create psychological profiles that offer insight to complement other investigative techniques. Professionals gather data from interviews with victims, criminals, and friends and family of a criminal, as well as from crime scenes and evidence.
Forensic psychologists and law enforcement professionals can use this profile to assess the likelihood of whether a defendant committed a crime. This assessment can ultimately impact prosecution, defense and sentencing.
2. Child Custody
Psychologists can work with children to help them communicate experiences with accuracy and honesty in abuse cases, even supporting their court testimony. In divorce and custody cases, psychologists can evaluate psychological function in parents and children, act as expert witnesses to advocate for children’s best interests, consult with litigators, help coordinate and coach divorce arrangements, and provide therapy to children and parents.
Psychologists can also strive to alleviate parental alienation, which occurs when a parent’s words or actions cause a child to demonstrate resistance or hatred toward the other parent. This can be common in child custody cases. In these situations, the psychologist can evaluate the child’s behavior, the child’s relationships with their parents and each parent’s behavior.
3. Jury Selection
Social and cognitive psychologists can play a key role in evaluating and selecting a jury. This is a critical component of ensuring trials are unbiased and fair.
A social psychologist would holistically look at the jury as a social group that listens, converses, persuades and compromises. Conversely, a cognitive psychologist would seek to understand the group as well as the individual approach to decision-making, problem-solving and memory, all of which are impactful when reaching a verdict as a jury.
4. Legal Professions
In some cases, professionals with a psychology background may pursue a career as a lawyer to apply their psychological expertise to law practice. A psychologist’s training equips them to deal with clients daily, offering insight into their needs, motivations and state of mind.
Overall, a deep understanding of psychology arms professionals with a skillset to better understand and interact with people, whether they are defendants, plaintiffs or another type of client. This skillset is critical to being an effective lawyer.
5. Assessing the Mental State of Criminal Defendants
Psychologists assess criminal defendants for mental health. They examine defendants and make recommendations regarding whether a defendant should have their sentence reduced for temporary insanity or whether they are incompetent to stand trial.
In the U.S., the law recognizes instances when a “guilty mind” or mens rea may be absent, and a person cannot be held accountable for a crime. In addition to self-defense, insanity is also an acceptable instance. To determine this, the psychologist must retroactively assess the defendant’s mindset at the time of the crime, measuring against state and federal definitions of “insanity,” a legal, not clinical, term.
6. Other Psychological Assessments
In addition to assessing the mental health of criminal defendants, psychologists can provide assessments for individuals with symptoms of severe mental illnesses. These professionals work with the courts to establish appropriate court-ordered treatment, called civil commitment.
Through investigation, consulting, assessing and administering treatment, psychologists provide an array of other assessments. These assessments may support or assist schools, child custody cases, elderly competency evaluations, victim counseling services, death notification procedures, law enforcement screening and veterans services.
7. Expert Opinions and Consulting
With expertise in abnormal psychology, psychological assessments and human behavior, psychologists often appear in court to act as expert witnesses. In some cases, this may mean delivering a report; in others, providing testimony.
Often, this comes into play when a defendant’s mental capacity is in question or if the case involves a child. As an expert witness, the psychologist may even advise on treatment as a component of sentencing.
8. Treating Prisoners and Juveniles
Psychologists can strive to understand mental health among prisoners, juveniles included, from a systematic perspective. They assess sentencing, the validity of assessment tools across cultures and unequal access to mental health support.
Research suggests that youth in the juvenile justice system have disproportionately high rates of behavioral health disorders. The majority of these individuals do not receive adequate mental health care and need improved treatment plans. Psychologists can play an important role in alleviating this systemic problem.
9. Criminology Research
Scientific evidence is critical in law when it comes to understanding several key factors in the legal process. These include eyewitness identification, memory accuracy and determining when someone is being deceptive.
Psychologists can contribute to this area outside the courtroom as well, often through university-based research. They conduct studies and provide reports on what scientific evidence suggests regarding a specific question or task. The results of psychological study can prove useful in various investigative activities and legal proceedings.
10. Litigation Consultant
Attorneys can hire litigation psychology consultants to support case evaluation and create a trial strategy. This involves several steps. A consultant may facilitate group jury research studies to create a mock trial focus group. Throughout the process, professionals will collect data from participants surrounding reactions to case documents and witness video clips, assessing emotional reactions, comprehension and inclination toward a verdict.
Legal teams can apply this research to inform areas of the case that may need further strategizing. In high-profile cases, consultants can examine juror pool reactions as well to aid in impartial jury selection.
Gain Psychology and Law Expertise With an Online Bachelor’s Degree
The legal applications of psychology are many, and forensic psychology professions can be fascinating and rewarding. However, roles in the field can be challenging and require a diverse set of skills and interdisciplinary knowledge.
The online B.A. in applied psychology – forensic psychology degree program from Florida Tech provides aspiring psychologists with comprehensive studies in this unique field. Students gain the foundation of psychology and law expertise needed to pursue advanced education and engaging careers in the field.
Learn more about Florida Tech’s online Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology – Forensic Psychology program.
