LAW AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR

Scope & Guideline

Exploring the Psychological Dimensions of Legal Systems

Introduction

Welcome to the LAW AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR information hub, where our guidelines provide a wealth of knowledge about the journal’s focus and academic contributions. This page includes an extensive look at the aims and scope of LAW AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR, highlighting trending and emerging areas of study. We also examine declining topics to offer insight into academic interest shifts. Our curated list of highly cited topics and recent publications is part of our effort to guide scholars, using these guidelines to stay ahead in their research endeavors.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN0147-7307
PublisherEDUCATIONAL PUBLISHING FOUNDATION-AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOC
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited States
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 1977 to 2024
AbbreviationLAW HUMAN BEHAV / Law Hum. Behav.
Frequency6 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address750 FIRST ST, NE, WASHINGTON, DC 20002-4242

Aims and Scopes

The journal 'Law and Human Behavior' focuses on the intersection of legal practices and psychological principles, exploring how human behavior influences and is influenced by the law. The journal aims to advance knowledge in legal psychology, providing insights into the cognitive, emotional, and social factors that affect legal processes and outcomes.
  1. Legal Psychology Applications:
    Research that applies psychological principles to understand legal processes, such as jury decision-making, eyewitness testimony, and the effects of mental health on legal competency.
  2. Behavioral Analysis in Legal Contexts:
    Studies examining the behavior of various legal actors, including defendants, victims, jurors, and law enforcement personnel, often focusing on biases and decision-making processes.
  3. Impact of Social and Racial Factors:
    Exploration of how social identity, race, and ethnicity influence perceptions of justice, legal outcomes, and the treatment of individuals within the legal system.
  4. Mental Health and the Legal System:
    Investigations into the intersection of mental health issues and legal processes, including competency evaluations, the treatment of mentally ill offenders, and implications for sentencing.
  5. Criminal Justice Interventions:
    Research focusing on interventions within the criminal justice system, including risk assessments, rehabilitation strategies, and the effectiveness of legal reforms.
The journal has witnessed a rise in publications addressing contemporary social issues and advancements in legal psychology. These emerging themes reflect a commitment to addressing current challenges within the legal system.
  1. Implicit Bias and Legal Decision-Making:
    A growing body of research is focusing on implicit bias, particularly how it influences the decisions of legal actors, such as jurors and law enforcement, reflecting broader societal discussions on race and equity.
  2. Mental Health Interventions in Criminal Justice:
    Emerging themes highlight the need for mental health interventions within the criminal justice system, emphasizing the importance of addressing mental health issues among offenders and victims.
  3. Technology in Legal Processes:
    An increasing interest in the role of technology, including the use of body-worn cameras and telepsychology, is evident, suggesting a shift towards integrating technological advancements into legal practices.
  4. Cultural Competency in Forensic Assessments:
    Research focusing on culturally competent practices in forensic assessments is on the rise, indicating a trend towards recognizing the importance of cultural factors in legal psychology.
  5. Victimology and Legal Outcomes:
    The study of victim experiences and their influence on legal outcomes, including victim impact statements and their role in sentencing, has gained prominence, reflecting a more victim-centered approach in legal research.

Declining or Waning

While 'Law and Human Behavior' remains dedicated to a broad range of topics, certain themes have shown a decline in prominence in recent publications. This shift may reflect changing societal interests or evolving research priorities.
  1. Traditional Forensic Assessment Tools:
    There appears to be a waning focus on established forensic assessment tools, as newer methodologies emphasizing culturally informed and context-sensitive approaches gain traction.
  2. Generic Legal Education Approaches:
    Research discussing generic educational frameworks for legal professionals has become less frequent, indicating a shift towards more specialized and practical training methodologies.
  3. Exploration of Historical Legal Practices:
    Studies investigating historical legal practices and their psychological implications have diminished, suggesting a move toward contemporary issues and current legal challenges.
  4. Standardized Testing in Legal Contexts:
    The use of standardized psychological testing in legal assessments is declining, with a growing preference for qualitative approaches that consider individual circumstances and biases.
  5. Disciplinary Outcomes in Educational Settings:
    Research related to disciplinary outcomes in educational contexts, such as school-to-prison pipelines, has lessened, possibly overshadowed by broader criminal justice reform discussions.

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