Lawrence S. Wrightsman – författare

In its roughly 25 years of existence, the trial consulting profession has grown dramatically in membership, recognition, and breadth of practice. What began as a small activist group of social scientists volunteering their expertise to assist in the defense of Vietnam War protestors has evolved into a diverse set of professionals from a range of educational and professional backgrounds. In spite of such enormous growth, the work of trial consultants has gone largely unexamined. Trial Consulting takes an in-depth look at the primary activities of trial consultants, including witness preparation, focus groups and mock trials, jury selection, change of venue surveys, and attorney presentation style. It also examines the profession''s struggle to define itself, resisting certification and licensure requirements and settling instead for a set of practice standards. The authors draw upon empirical and other scholarly work in the social sciences, recommended "best practices" from trial lawyers, and the written and spoken recommendations and reflections of the trial consultants themselves. Addressing a broad spectrum of topics ranging from handwriting analysis to medical malpractice cases, they also suggest reforms for improving the profession and the efficacy of the trial consultant in the courtroom. The result is a critical analysis of what trial consulting truly adds to, and detracts from, the administration of justice. This book is an indispensable guide for practicing and aspiring trial consultants as well as the judges, attorneys, and psychologists who work with them. Trial Consulting provides a thought-provoking statement on the state of the profession, and students and professionals alike will benefit from the challenges it offers.

With the media spotlight on the recent developments concerning the Supreme Court, more and more people have become increasingly interested in the highest court in the land. Who are the justices that run it and how do they make their decisions?The Psychology of the Supreme Court by Lawrence S. Wrightsman is the first book to thoroughly examine the psychology of Supreme Court decision-making. Dr. Wrightsman''s book seeks to help us understand all aspects of the Supreme Court''s functioning from a psychological perspective. This timely and comprehensive work addresses many factors of influence including, the background of the justices, how they are nominated and appointed, the role of their law clerks, the power of the Chief Justice, and the day-to-day life in the Court. Dr. Wrightsman uses psychological concepts and research findings from the social sciences to examine the steps of the decision-making process, as well as the ways in which the justices seek to remain collegial in the face of conflict and the degree of predictability in their votes.Psychologists and scholars, as well as those of us seeking to unravel the mystery of The Supreme Court of the United States will find this book to be an eye-opening read.

In its roughly 25 years of existence, the trial consulting profession has grown dramatically in membership, recognition , and breadth of practice. What began as a small activist group of social scientists volunteering their expertiseto assist in the defence of Vietnam War protestors has evolved into a diverse set of professionals from a range of educational and professional backgrounds.In spite of such enormous growth, the work of trial consultants has gone largely unexamined. Trial Consulting takes an in-depth look at the primary activities of trial consultants, including witness preparation, focus groups and mock trials, jury selection, change of venue surveys, and attorney presentation style. It also examines the profession's struggle to define itself, resisting certification and licensure requirements and settling instead for a set of practice standards. The authors draw upon empirical and other scholarly work in the social sciences, recommended "best practices" from trial lawyers, and the written and spoken recommendations and reflections of the trial consultants themselves. Addressing a broad spectrum of topics ranging from handwriting analysis to medical malpractice cases, they also suggest reforms for improving the profession and the efficacy of the trial consultant in the courtroom. The result is a critical analysis of what trial consulting truly adds to, and detracts from, the administration of justice.This book is an indispensible guide for practicing and aspiring trial consultants as well as the judges, attorneys, and psychologists who work with them. Trial Consulting provides a thought-provoking statement on the state of the profession, and students and professionals alike will benefit from the challenges it presents.

With the media spotlight on the recent developments concerning the Supreme Court, more and more people have become increasingly interested in the highest court in the land. Who are the justices that run it and how do they make their decisions?The Psychology of the Supreme Court by Lawrence S. Wrightsman is the first book to thoroughly examine the psychology of Supreme Court decision-making. Dr. Wrightsman's book seeks to help us understand all aspects of the Supreme Court's functioning from a psychological perspective. This timely and comprehensive work addresses many factors of influence, including the background of the justices, how they are nominated and appointed, the role of their law clerks, the power of the Chief Justice, and the day-to-day life in the Court. Dr. Wrightsman uses psychological concepts and research findings from the social sciences to examine the steps of the decision-making process, as well as the ways in which the justices seek to remain collegial in the face of conflict and the degree of predictability in their votes.

In its roughly 25 years of existence, the trial consulting profession has grown dramatically in membership, recognition, and breadth of practice. What began as a small activist group of social scientists volunteering their expertise to assist in the defense of Vietnam War protestors has evolved into a diverse set of professionals from a range of educational and professional backgrounds. In spite of such enormous growth, the work of trial consultants has gone largely unexamined. Trial Consulting takes an in-depth look at the primary activities of trial consultants, including witness preparation, focus groups and mock trials, jury selection, change of venue surveys, and attorney presentation style. It also examines the profession''s struggle to define itself, resisting certification and licensure requirements and settling instead for a set of practice standards. The authors draw upon empirical and other scholarly work in the social sciences, recommended "best practices" from trial lawyers, and the written and spoken recommendations and reflections of the trial consultants themselves. Addressing a broad spectrum of topics ranging from handwriting analysis to medical malpractice cases, they also suggest reforms for improving the profession and the efficacy of the trial consultant in the courtroom. The result is a critical analysis of what trial consulting truly adds to, and detracts from, the administration of justice. This book is an indispensable guide for practicing and aspiring trial consultants as well as the judges, attorneys, and psychologists who work with them. Trial Consulting provides a thought-provoking statement on the state of the profession, and students and professionals alike will benefit from the challenges it offers.

With the media spotlight on the recent developments concerning the Supreme Court, more and more people have become increasingly interested in the highest court in the land. Who are the justices that run it and how do they make their decisions?The Psychology of the Supreme Court by Lawrence S. Wrightsman is the first book to thoroughly examine the psychology of Supreme Court decision-making. Dr. Wrightsman''s book seeks to help us understand all aspects of the Supreme Court''s functioning from a psychological perspective. This timely and comprehensive work addresses many factors of influence including, the background of the justices, how they are nominated and appointed, the role of their law clerks, the power of the Chief Justice, and the day-to-day life in the Court. Dr. Wrightsman uses psychological concepts and research findings from the social sciences to examine the steps of the decision-making process, as well as the ways in which the justices seek to remain collegial in the face of conflict and the degree of predictability in their votes.Psychologists and scholars, as well as those of us seeking to unravel the mystery of The Supreme Court of the United States will find this book to be an eye-opening read.

Where did Miranda go wrong? The purpose of this book is to identify and describe four problems with the implementation of the Miranda decision and to suggest remedies in order to have it achieve its original purpose. The four problems identified in the book are: 1. The justices, in placing restrictions of the questioning of suspects, limited these rights only to those suspects who were "in custody." The term "in custody" is legally vague as well as vague to the layperson. It permits the police to question suspects without giving them their Miranda rights in those settings where it is unclear whether custody is present.2. The Miranda warnings may not be fully understood by many suspects. There is no country-wide standardization of what is said; there are literally thousands of different versions of "the" Miranda warnings in use by different police departments in the United States.3. Police training manuals, while recognizing the right to a "Miranda warning," have developed many ways to circumvent giving the warnings or ignoring a response in which a suspect does decide to remain silent or ask for an attorney. 4. In the 40 years since the Miranda law was established, the Supreme Court and lower courts have made decisions eroding their application. Can the original goal of the authors of the Miranda law be salvaged? This book examines the state of interrogations and the state of the law before the Miranda decision was made, the purposes and nature of the decision, and proposes recommendations for reinstituting the original goals.

Can the original goal of the authors of the Miranda law be salvaged? This book examines the state of interrogations and the state of the law before the Miranda decision was made, the purposes and nature of the decision, and proposes recommendations for reinstituting the original goals.

In the mid-1970s, as a social psychologist dedicated to the application of knowl­ edge, I welcomed our field's emerging interest in the legal system. I have al­ ways been fascinated by jury trials-something about the idea that two con­ ceptions of the truth were in irrevocable conflict and jurors could choose only one of them. More important, the criminal justice system is a major social force that has been ignored by social psychologists for most of the twentieth century. As I systematically began to explore the applications of social psycho­ logical concepts to the law 20 years ago, I experienced the delight of discovery similar to that of a child under a Christmas tree. It has been satisfying to be among the cohort of researchers who have studied the legal system, especially trial juries, from a psychological perspective. I believe we have learned much that would be useful if the system were to be revised. Hlf the system were to be revised" . . . there's the rub. As I have stated, my original motivation was the application of knowledge. Like other social scien­ tists, I believed-perhaps arrogantly-that the results of our research efforts could be used to make trial juries operate with more efficiency, accuracy, and satisfaction. Qver the last two decades, much knowledge has accumulated. How can we put this knowledge to work? Judges are the gatekeepers of the legal system.

This book, which is in its second edition, provides a provocative mirror from which to discern more clearly one's own assumptions about human nature. . . . I found myself reflecting on the subject matter and its impact on my own life, including relationships, teaching, research, and therapy. . . . The author has done a superb job of raising our consciousness about human nature in this book, an I strongly recommend it to academic and applied psychologists. If you need an invitation to examine your views about human nature, this book is it. --C. R. Snyder, University of Kansas, Lawrence In general, are people trustworthy or unreliable, altruistic or selfish? Are they simple and easy to understand or complex and beyond comprehension? Our assumptions about human nature color everything from the way we bargain with a used-car dealer to our expectations about further conflict in the Middle East. Because our assumptions about human nature underlie our reactions to specific events, Wrightsman designed this second edition to enhance our understanding of human nature--the relationship of attitudes to behavior, the unidimensionality of attitudes, and the influence of social movements on beliefs. Psychologists, social workers, researchers, and students will find Assumptions About Human Nature an illuminating exploration into the philosophies of human nature.

This book, which is in its second edition, provides a provocative mirror from which to discern more clearly one's own assumptions about human nature. . . . I found myself reflecting on the subject matter and its impact on my own life, including relationships, teaching, research, and therapy. . . . The author has done a superb job of raising our consciousness about human nature in this book, an I strongly recommend it to academic and applied psychologists. If you need an invitation to examine your views about human nature, this book is it. --C. R. Snyder, University of Kansas, Lawrence In general, are people trustworthy or unreliable, altruistic or selfish? Are they simple and easy to understand or complex and beyond comprehension? Our assumptions about human nature color everything from the way we bargain with a used-car dealer to our expectations about further conflict in the Middle East. Because our assumptions about human nature underlie our reactions to specific events, Wrightsman designed this second edition to enhance our understanding of human nature--the relationship of attitudes to behavior, the unidimensionality of attitudes, and the influence of social movements on beliefs. Psychologists, social workers, researchers, and students will find Assumptions About Human Nature an illuminating exploration into the philosophies of human nature.

Rape--it is probably the most misunderstood of violent crimes. Only two to five percent of rapists are ever convicted and when an accusation of rape is made, the victim often becomes the focus of attention. Unfortunately, one prototypical conceptualization--a madman who waits for his next victim with a weapon in hand--is still prevalent. Most rapes, however, are committed by someone the victim knows. Using theoretical, empirical, journalistic, and anecdotal sources, Rape: The Misunderstood Crime synthesizes the most current research available on this topic from a psychological perspective. Stranger rape, date rape, prevailing attitudes toward rape, the rape victim at trial, and negative reactions to the rape victim are explored. Allison and Wrightsman conclude with a look at rape prevention.

Rape: The Misunderstood Crime is an excellent resource for professionals and students of psychology, sociology, education, social work, criminal justice, and law who seek to dispel "rape myths" and wish to better understand the nature and dynamics of both the rapist and the victim.

"This is an excellent resource book for professionals, and students of psychology, sociology, education, social work etc. on how to dispel ''rape myths'' and for developing a better understanding of the dynamics of the rapist and victim."

--The Hindustan Times

"The authors provide a thorough, well-written review of research on rape conducted over the last twenty years, including an extensive bibliography. . . . It is well-written, and should prove a valuable addition to the limited number of textbooks available in the area."

--Contemporary Sociology

"A comprehensive review of what is known about rape. The authors consider all forms of rape including stranger rape, spousal rape, and acquaintance rape. Sections focus on attitudes toward rape and rape victims, reactions of rape victims, legal issues, treatment, and prevention. The scope of the book is broad and coverage of issues and topics is extensive and thorough. . . . The text is smooth and relatively easy to follow throughout. . . . Recommended for all levels."

--Choice

"Some books arrive in my office and receive very little attention. It is very telling that as soon as this book arrived, it was snatched up by a member of my staff who then passed it along to a graduate student, who passed it along to another graduate student, who. . . . When it came time for me to review the book for this journal, I had to send out a search party and wrest it away from someone who ''just needed it for a few more days.'' I fought off the hordes of graduate students and suggested that they may want to invest in a copy for themselves. Rape: The Misunderstood Crime is not a book for the general public. It is a book for professionals, particularly researchers and teachers. However, it could also be used as a textbook for use within psychology, sociology, or criminology courses that focus on crime. This book is a scholarly review of the range of research on the topic of rape. . . . It is a well-written book, both readable and well organized. The authors, Allison & Wrightsman, not only make sense of some confusing areas of research, but they also provide insightful critique of the flaws of the research reviewed and the implications of these flaws. . . . I recommend it for basic background reading for those who are working on the topic of rape or who work with related populations. Enough said. There are two people waiting to borrow my copy."

--Patricia A. Resick

University of Missouri, St. Louis for the Journal of Traumatic Stress

Twenty years ago the issue of child sexual abuse was seldom discussed in the United States. Now reports of such abuses have become commonplace, and the arrests and trials of alleged abusers have become a staple of the evening television news reports. This recent onslaught of disclosures about children who report being sexually abused creates a dilemma for us all, but especially for social scientists and legal or service-delivery professionals who must make policy-oriented decisions concerning abused children. On the one hand we want to trust children; on the other, we must honor the rights of those accused of crimes. Furthermore, in our effort to protect children from subsequent abuse, we increasingly request that they testify in court about their traumatic experiences. What rights, if any, do children have to special treatment? Are they competent to testify? How will reliving their horrible experience in court affect their emotional well-being? And, how does the court balance the child's needs with the right of the defendant to a fair trial? In The Child Witness Perry and Wrightsman provide an integrated, up-to-date review of social science research, legislation, and recent court decisions that relate to children as witnesses in court. Four central issues are addressed: children's competence as witnesses, their credibility, the rights of children, and the rights of the accused. Recent research on issues of comprehension, memory, and the communication skills of children are evaluated as well as how different audiences--attorneys, judges, and jurors--perceive a child's credibility. Replete with details from actual cases, The Child Witness provides policy recommendations and guidelines for judges, attorneys, and service-delivery professionals who work with children that are asked to testify in court. "The Child Witness is well organized and informative. Readers who seek basic skills in interviewing children will find that this book provides a window for understanding the challenge of gathering information from child witnesses. . . . The Child Witness merits reading by every professional social worker, attorney, minister, counselor, teacher, or psychologist whose young client is about to give testimony." --Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Human Services "This sobering glimpse of the costs and benefits of investigative interviewing sets the tone for a highly readable survey of psychology, law, and the child witness. . . . In addition to reviewing the law and psychology of child witnesses, Perry and Wrightsman also provide some useful pointers on how to interview children. . . . The Child Witness can be read with profit by all participants in the child sex abuse debate." --Child Abuse Review "The Child Witness effectively uses boxed highlights and summaries to present illustrative legal cases, definitions, and resource material. Instructors will find useful and exceptionally detailed outlines of the contents of each chapter. Finally, the coherance afforded by having only two authors enables The Child Witness to adhere closely to its stated organizational goals of explicating four key issues: child witness' competency, child witness' credibility, children's legal rights and the rights of adult defendants in cases involving child witnesses." -- Candida Peterson, The Australian

Why do we, as adults, have the personality characteristics we do? No one explanation is accepted by all; however, in this greatly expanded version of his earlier book, Personality Development in Adulthood, Wrightsman helps us understand and organize the three broad theoretical approaches to explain psychological changes during the period from adolescence to the onset of late adulthood. Each of these approaches--early formation theories, stage theories, and the dialectical approach--are described and contrasted in order to help us more easily compare our experiences with those of others. Case histories, relevant current events, and boxed inserts are used throughout the book to illustrate important concepts in a thought-provoking, lively manner. Written in a compelling, non-technical style, the book is accessible to students and interested readers from all disciplines, especially psychology, clinical and developmental psychology, aging, family studies, sociology, gender studies and nursing.

Why do we, as adults, have the personality characteristics we do? No one explanation is accepted by all; however, in this greatly expanded version of his earlier book, Personality Development in Adulthood, Wrightsman helps us understand and organize the three broad theoretical approaches to explain psychological changes during the period from adolescence to the onset of late adulthood. Each of these approaches--early formation theories, stage theories, and the dialectical approach--are described and contrasted in order to help us more easily compare our experiences with those of others. Case histories, relevant current events, and boxed inserts are used throughout the book to illustrate important concepts in a thought-provoking, lively manner. Written in a compelling, non-technical style, the book is accessible to students and interested readers from all disciplines, especially psychology, clinical and developmental psychology, aging, family studies, sociology, gender studies and nursing.

This stimulating book and its companion volume, Adult Personality Development: Theories and Concepts, reflect an expansion of the coverage of Wrightsman's initial book, Personality Development in Adulthood. The luxury of greater length has permitted an exploration of new topics, including the use of a wider variety of sources including scholarly articles and books, biographies, and case studies. Increased attention is devoted to creativity in adulthood, to learning and memory, to marriage stability, and other topics. The book provides a focus for a Psychology of Adulthood course that encourages students to look at the evolving nature of their own lives. Particular attention is given to developing an extensive set of references (over 700 in this volume) as an aid to scholars. Adult Personality Development will attract a wide readership among students and professionals of Psychology, Developmental and Clinical Psychology, Aging, Family Studies, Social Psychology, Gender Studies and Nursing.

This stimulating book and its companion volume, Adult Personality Development: Theories and Concepts, reflect an expansion of the coverage of Wrightsman's initial book, Personality Development in Adulthood. The luxury of greater length has permitted an exploration of new topics, including the use of a wider variety of sources including scholarly articles and books, biographies, and case studies. Increased attention is devoted to creativity in adulthood, to learning and memory, to marriage stability, and other topics. The book provides a focus for a Psychology of Adulthood course that encourages students to look at the evolving nature of their own lives. Particular attention is given to developing an extensive set of references (over 700 in this volume) as an aid to scholars. Adult Personality Development will attract a wide readership among students and professionals of Psychology, Developmental and Clinical Psychology, Aging, Family Studies, Social Psychology, Gender Studies and Nursing.

When the prosecution introduces confession testimony during a criminal trial, the effect is usually overwhelming. In fact, jurors' verdicts are affected more by a confession than by eyewitness testimony. While eyewitness studies are massive in numbers, the topic of confession evidence has been largely ignored by psychologists and other social scientists. Confessions in the Courtroom seeks to rectify this discrepancy. This timely book examines how the legal system has evolved in its treatment of confessions over the last half century and discusses, at length, the U.S. Supreme Court's decision regarding Arizona v. Fulminante which caused a reassessment of the acceptability of confessions generated under duress. The authors examine the causes of confessions and the interrogation procedure used by the police. They also evaluate the process for determining the admissability of confession testimony and provide excellent research on jurors' reactions to voluntary and coerced confessions. Social scientists, attorneys, members of the criminal justice system, and students will find Confessions in the Courtroom to be an objective and readable treatment on this important topic. "In this short volume, the authors seek "to describe and evaluate what we know about confessions given to police and their impact at the subsequent trial." It is a comprehensive review of the social psychological literature and legal decisions surrounding confessions. One of the primary strengths of the manuscript is the interplay between social science and law fostered by the authors' clear understanding of the boundaries between these disciplines and appreciation of the substantive areas they share. . . . [The authors] have produced a comprehensive and imminently readable legal and psychological treatise on confessions, valuable for established scholars and for students." --Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice

When the prosecution introduces confession testimony during a criminal trial, the effect is usually overwhelming. In fact, jurors' verdicts are affected more by a confession than by eyewitness testimony. While eyewitness studies are massive in numbers, the topic of confession evidence has been largely ignored by psychologists and other social scientists. Confessions in the Courtroom seeks to rectify this discrepancy. This timely book examines how the legal system has evolved in its treatment of confessions over the last half century and discusses, at length, the U.S. Supreme Court's decision regarding Arizona v. Fulminante which caused a reassessment of the acceptability of confessions generated under duress. The authors examine the causes of confessions and the interrogation procedure used by the police. They also evaluate the process for determining the admissability of confession testimony and provide excellent research on jurors' reactions to voluntary and coerced confessions. Social scientists, attorneys, members of the criminal justice system, and students will find Confessions in the Courtroom to be an objective and readable treatment on this important topic. "In this short volume, the authors seek "to describe and evaluate what we know about confessions given to police and their impact at the subsequent trial." It is a comprehensive review of the social psychological literature and legal decisions surrounding confessions. One of the primary strengths of the manuscript is the interplay between social science and law fostered by the authors' clear understanding of the boundaries between these disciplines and appreciation of the substantive areas they share. . . . [The authors] have produced a comprehensive and imminently readable legal and psychological treatise on confessions, valuable for established scholars and for students." --Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice

The authors of this volume provide discussion on vital issues related to the rights of children in the United States, including: the historical and contextual perspective on the rights of children; the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child; the differing views on children's rights and competencies; and the rights of children within the family, the social service system, the health care system, the educational system, the juvenile justice system and in employment.

The authors of this volume provide discussion on vital issues related to the rights of children in the United States, including: the historical and contextual perspective on the rights of children; the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child; the differing views on children's rights and competencies; and the rights of children within the family, the social service system, the health care system, the educational system, the juvenile justice system and in employment.

First Published in 1988. More than 3 million Americans are called for jury duty every year. For most people, serving on a jury arouses two feelings: it is both a personal sacrifice and an exciting experience. And where a jury is asked to decide some cases, they make headlines. As a result of trials such as these, the American system of trial by jury faces unprecedented challenges. This volume offers an informed examination of the entire process, from jury selection to the delivery of a verdict. Quoting the experiences and expertise of F. Lee Bailey, William Kunstler, Clarence Darrow, Learned Hand, and many others, ttis book investigates such important factors as pretrial bias, the psychology of evidence, inadmissible testimony, interpreting the law, and what goes on inside the jury room. People often think that any book dealing with the law must be written in ‘legalese’ but in in this book, Professors Kassin and Wrightsman present their case in an exceptionally readable style. They utilize modern advances in psychology to illuminate the usually hidden world of trial practice and procedure and offer thoughtful possibilities for improving the system.

First Published in 1988. More than 3 million Americans are called for jury duty every year. For most people, serving on a jury arouses two feelings: it is both a personal sacrifice and an exciting experience. And where a jury is asked to decide some cases, they make headlines. As a result of trials such as these, the American system of trial by jury faces unprecedented challenges. This volume offers an informed examination of the entire process, from jury selection to the delivery of a verdict. Quoting the experiences and expertise of F. Lee Bailey, William Kunstler, Clarence Darrow, Learned Hand, and many others, ttis book investigates such important factors as pretrial bias, the psychology of evidence, inadmissible testimony, interpreting the law, and what goes on inside the jury room. People often think that any book dealing with the law must be written in ‘legalese’ but in in this book, Professors Kassin and Wrightsman present their case in an exceptionally readable style. They utilize modern advances in psychology to illuminate the usually hidden world of trial practice and procedure and offer thoughtful possibilities for improving the system.

First Published in 1988. More than 3 million Americans are called for jury duty every year. For most people, serving on a jury arouses two feelings: it is both a personal sacrifice and an exciting experience. And where a jury is asked to decide some cases, they make headlines. As a result of trials such as these, the American system of trial by jury faces unprecedented challenges. This volume offers an informed examination of the entire process, from jury selection to the delivery of a verdict. Quoting the experiences and expertise of F. Lee Bailey, William Kunstler, Clarence Darrow, Learned Hand, and many others, ttis book investigates such important factors as pretrial bias, the psychology of evidence, inadmissible testimony, interpreting the law, and what goes on inside the jury room. People often think that any book dealing with the law must be written in ‘legalese’ but in in this book, Professors Kassin and Wrightsman present their case in an exceptionally readable style. They utilize modern advances in psychology to illuminate the usually hidden world of trial practice and procedure and offer thoughtful possibilities for improving the system.

In the mid-1970s, as a social psychologist dedicated to the application of knowl­ edge, I welcomed our field's emerging interest in the legal system. I have al­ ways been fascinated by jury trials-something about the idea that two con­ ceptions of the truth were in irrevocable conflict and jurors could choose only one of them. More important, the criminal justice system is a major social force that has been ignored by social psychologists for most of the twentieth century. As I systematically began to explore the applications of social psycho­ logical concepts to the law 20 years ago, I experienced the delight of discovery similar to that of a child under a Christmas tree. It has been satisfying to be among the cohort of researchers who have studied the legal system, especially trial juries, from a psychological perspective. I believe we have learned much that would be useful if the system were to be revised. Hlf the system were to be revised" . . . there's the rub. As I have stated, my original motivation was the application of knowledge. Like other social scien­ tists, I believed-perhaps arrogantly-that the results of our research efforts could be used to make trial juries operate with more efficiency, accuracy, and satisfaction. Qver the last two decades, much knowledge has accumulated. How can we put this knowledge to work? Judges are the gatekeepers of the legal system.

In the mid-1970s, as a social psychologist dedicated to the application of knowl­ edge, I welcomed our field''s emerging interest in the legal system. I have al­ ways been fascinated by jury trials-something about the idea that two con­ ceptions of the truth were in irrevocable conflict and jurors could choose only one of them. More important, the criminal justice system is a major social force that has been ignored by social psychologists for most of the twentieth century. As I systematically began to explore the applications of social psycho­ logical concepts to the law 20 years ago, I experienced the delight of discovery similar to that of a child under a Christmas tree. It has been satisfying to be among the cohort of researchers who have studied the legal system, especially trial juries, from a psychological perspective. I believe we have learned much that would be useful if the system were to be revised. Hlf the system were to be revised" . . . there''s the rub. As I have stated, my original motivation was the application of knowledge. Like other social scien­ tists, I believed-perhaps arrogantly-that the results of our research efforts could be used to make trial juries operate with more efficiency, accuracy, and satisfaction. Qver the last two decades, much knowledge has accumulated. How can we put this knowledge to work? Judges are the gatekeepers of the legal system.