LEGAL AND CRIMINOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY

Scope & Guideline

Illuminating the Psychological Aspects of Criminal Justice.

Introduction

Immerse yourself in the scholarly insights of LEGAL AND CRIMINOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY with our comprehensive guidelines detailing its aims and scope. This page is your resource for understanding the journal's thematic priorities. Stay abreast of trending topics currently drawing significant attention and explore declining topics for a full picture of evolving interests. Our selection of highly cited topics and recent high-impact papers is curated within these guidelines to enhance your research impact.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN1355-3259
PublisherWILEY
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited States
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 1996 to 2024
AbbreviationLEGAL CRIMINOL PSYCH / Legal Criminol. Psychol.
Frequency2 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address111 RIVER ST, HOBOKEN 07030-5774, NJ

Aims and Scopes

The journal 'Legal and Criminological Psychology' is dedicated to exploring the intersection of psychology, law, and criminology. It aims to provide a platform for rigorous research that contributes to the understanding of legal processes, criminal behavior, and the psychological aspects of law enforcement and justice.
  1. Investigative Interviewing Techniques:
    Research focuses on the methodologies and effectiveness of various interviewing techniques used in legal settings, particularly with vulnerable populations such as children and adolescents.
  2. Recidivism and Rehabilitation:
    The journal investigates factors influencing recidivism rates among juvenile and adult offenders, emphasizing the role of psychological traits, social dynamics, and rehabilitation practices.
  3. Psychological Assessment in Legal Contexts:
    Studies evaluate how psychological assessments influence legal decisions, including the validity of tools used for risk assessment and their implications for sentencing and rehabilitation.
  4. Impact of Childhood Experiences on Adult Behavior:
    Research examines how adverse childhood experiences and family dynamics affect later criminal behavior and psychological outcomes.
  5. Criminal Justice System Perceptions:
    The journal explores public attitudes toward the penal system, including perceptions of justice, procedural fairness, and the impact of race and ethnicity on legal outcomes.
  6. Cognitive Bias in Legal Contexts:
    Investigations into cognitive biases that affect decision-making processes in legal settings, including biases in police interviews and judicial decision-making.
  7. Cybercrime and Technology:
    Emerging research focuses on the psychological aspects of cybercrime, including the motivations behind online offenses and the effects of technology on criminal behavior.
Recent publications in 'Legal and Criminological Psychology' have highlighted several emerging themes that reflect current societal concerns and advancements in research methodologies. These trends indicate a dynamic evolution of the field, with increasing attention to nuanced aspects of legal psychology.
  1. Child and Adolescent Psychology in Legal Contexts:
    There is a growing emphasis on understanding the psychological needs and vulnerabilities of children and adolescents within the legal system, particularly in investigative interviews and their long-term implications.
  2. Cognitive Load and Memory in Legal Settings:
    Emerging research explores the role of cognitive load on memory recall and decision-making processes during investigative interviews, highlighting the importance of psychological factors in legal contexts.
  3. Online Behavior and Cyberbullying:
    In response to the rise of digital communication, there is an increasing focus on understanding the psychological dynamics of cyberbullying, online radicalization, and the impact of technology on criminal behavior.
  4. Direct Replication and Methodological Rigor:
    A trend towards methodological transparency and the importance of direct replication studies in legal psychology is evident, as researchers seek to validate findings and strengthen the empirical foundation of the field.
  5. Mental Health and Wrongful Convictions:
    Research addressing the mental health implications for individuals who are wrongfully convicted or accused is gaining traction, reflecting a broader societal concern about justice and psychological well-being.
  6. Impact of Social Connections on Criminal Behavior:
    Studies are increasingly exploring the role of social connections and community factors in shaping criminal behavior and recidivism, moving beyond individual traits to consider broader social contexts.

Declining or Waning

While the journal has maintained a strong focus on various aspects of legal and criminological psychology, certain themes appear to be declining in prominence over recent years. This shift reflects changing priorities in research and emerging areas of interest.
  1. Traditional Psychological Theories of Crime:
    Research that heavily relies on classical psychological theories, such as general personality traits, appears to be waning, as newer studies adopt a more interdisciplinary approach incorporating sociology and cultural perspectives.
  2. Focus on Adult Criminal Behavior Alone:
    There is a noticeable decrease in studies exclusively focused on adult criminal behavior, with a shift towards understanding juvenile offenders and the impact of early life experiences.
  3. One-dimensional Approaches to Victimology:
    Research that examines victimology from a purely legal perspective without considering psychological or sociocultural factors seems to be less prevalent, indicating a broader, more integrated approach in recent studies.
  4. Generalized Interrogation Techniques:
    The application of generalized interrogation techniques without specific adaptations to different contexts or populations is becoming less common, as the field recognizes the need for tailored approaches.

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