Mar 10, 2026  
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2021-22 
    
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2021-22 [Archived Catalog]

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PSY 3520 - Social Psychology of Justice


Theory and research on the interface of psychology and the legal system (with an emphasis on social psychology). Specific topics include dilemmas faced by psychologists in the legal system; legality vs. morality; the socialization, training, and ethics of lawyers and police; perception memory and error in eyewitness testimony; hypnosis; lie detection and confessions; rights of victims and accused; rape and rapists; arrest and trial; jury selection; jury dynamics and deliberations; insanity and the prediction of dangerousness; sentencing; death penalty; rights of special groups; theories of crime.

Requisites: 6 Hours in PSY including 101D or 1010
Credit Hours: 3
OHIO BRICKS Bridge: Ethics and Reasoning
Repeat/Retake Information: May be retaken two times excluding withdrawals, but only last course taken counts.
Lecture/Lab Hours: 3.0 lecture
Grades: Eligible Grades: A-F,WP,WF,WN,FN,AU,I
Learning Outcomes:
  • Students will be able to explain the role psychology has played in various aspects of law including, but not limited to, jury selection, confessions, eyewitness testimony, competence and insanity, and the death penalty.
  • Students will be able to describe the United States legal system.
  • Students will be able to discuss the application of social psychological research to legal matters.
  • Students will be able to discuss theories of moral reasoning as they apply to the justice system.
  • Students will be able to explain ethical issues involved in various legal proceedings.



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