Description
Book SynopsisThe Psychology of Criminal Justice integrates aspects of psychology''s contributions to criminology and to socio-legal studies within a single narrative framework. It does this by describing the interpersonal and group dynamics of decision-making at key stages in the processing of accused persons from the time an alleged offence is committed to the moment sentence is passed.
The book bears directly on many current debates concerning the ability of the criminal justice system to deliver reliable verdicts. It recognizes the interdependence of decision makers in the system and addresses questions at an appropriately social-psychological level. The book examines systematically and critically the dynamics of criminal decision-making, the response of victims, the assumptions, attitudes and behavior of police officers, the conduct of court proceedings, the performance of witnesses, the strengths and weaknesses of juries, and the sentencing of magistrates and judges. Discussions of l
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements.
List of Figures.
List of Tables.
Introduction.
1. Who is the criminal?.
2. Are Criminals Morally Immature?.
3. Preparedness for Crime.
4. Calculating Criminal Behavior.
5. Criminal-Victim Interaction.
6. Social Psychology of Criminal Liability.
7. Police on Crime.
8. Stories in Court.
9. Testifying in Court.
10. Twelve Available People: How Juries Decide.
11. Punishing the Offender: Sentencing in Practice.
12. Procedure and the Distribution of Criminal Justice.
References.
Index.
