Synopsis

Written by two of the leading authorities in the field, FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY, Third Edition introduces you to the practice of forensic psychology by showing how psychologists aid the legal system by serving as expert witnesses, criminal profilers, and trial consultants for jury selection and child custody hearings. Wrightsman and Fulero present the roles and responsibilities of forensic psychologists, and address both the opportunities and temptations inherent in those roles. Through this lens, the authors explore the ethical issues facing practicing forensic psychologists, such as promising clients too much, the possibility of becoming advocates rather than objective scientists, and the pitfalls associated with substituting one's values for data. The authors provide an accurate and candid picture of the field, and the range of careers in forensic psychology.

Biography

Solomon Fulero is both a practicing attorney and a psychologist. He is currently Professor and former Chair of Psychology at Sinclair College in Dayton, Ohio and Clinical Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at Wright State University in Dayton. He maintains private practices in both psychology and law, and is a frequent expert witness on matters pertaining to legal psychology, in both social/experimental (eyewitness testimony, interrogations and confessions, pretrial publicity, etc.) and clinical (competency, sanity, sexual predator status, competency to waive Miranda rights, etc.) areas. He is the author of numerous scholarly articles in both psychology journals and law reviews. Dr. Fulero is the 2003-2004 President of the American Psychology-Law Society, Division 41 of the American Psychological Association. Dr. Fulero received his Ph.D. in social psychology and his law degree from the University of Oregon in August 1979 and December 1979 respectively, and a respecialization certificate in clinical psychology from Wright State University in June 1988.

Lawrence S. Wrightsman is professor of Psychology at the University of Kansas, Lawrence. Wrightsman is an author or editor of ten other books relevant to the legal system, including PSYCHOLOGY AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM, FIFTH EDITION, THE AMERICAN JURY ON TRIAL, and JUDICIAL DECISION MAKING: IS PSYCHOLOGY RELEVANT? He was invited to contribute the entry on the law and psychology for the ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PSYCHOLOGY, sponsored by the American Psychological Association and published by Oxford University Press. His research topics include jury selection procedures, reactions to police interrogations, and the impact of judicial instructions. He has also served as a trial consultant and testified as an expert witness. Wrightsman is a former president of both the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues and the Society of Personality and Social Psychology. In 1998 he was the recipient of a Distinguished Career Award from the American Psychology-Law Society.