Encyclopedia of Psychology and Law

The interdisciplinary field of psychology and law appeals to students, psychological scientists, psychologist practitioners, and members of the legal and public policy professions, such as lawyers, judges, lawmakers, and other administrators of justice. This young field of research and practice is noted for its intellectual diversity, as it draws on all of the traditional sub-disciplines of psychology and on various domains of law, legal practice, and public policy. Although this diversity is in many respects a very desirable feature, it creates many challenges as well. In particular, the breadth of research and practice contributes to a dearth of comprehensive reference sources and makes it difficult for individual students, scientists, and practitioners to keep current with the growing knowledge base outside of their individual areas of expertise.

This Encyclopedia of Psychology and Law will address research and practice in the interface of psychology and law. It will survey the traditional sub-disciplines of psychology: cognitive (e.g., eyewitness testimony), developmental (e.g., children′s testimony), social (e.g., jury behavior), clinical (e.g., assessment of competence), biological (e.g., the polygraph), and industrial-organizational psychology (e.g., sexual harassment in the workplace). Published as two volumes and consisting of approximately 350 to 400 entries (1,100 printed pages), the Encyclopedia will provide an authoritative and comprehensive A-to-Z list of topics in psychology and law of interest to students, scientists, and practitioners. Entries will vary in length from 1,000 to 3,000 words, will be written in clear and concise language, and will be designed to inform without overwhelming the reader. Entries will be organized with the use of a "Reader′s Guide," which will contain such categories as "Criminal Behavior and Treatment," "Juvenile Offenders," "Eyewitness Memory," Forensic Assessment and Diagnosis," and "Trial Processes."