American Psychology–Law Society
The American Psychology–Law Society (AP–LS) is an academic society for legal and forensic psychologists, as well as general psychologists who are interested in the application of psychology to the law. AP–LS serves as Division 41 of the American Psychological Association and publishes the academic journal Law and Human Behavior.
Goals and publications
The American Psychology–Law Society has three main goals, which are to advance the contributions of psychology to the understanding of law and legal institutions through basic and applied research, to promote the education of psychologists in matters of law and the education of legal personnel in matters of psychology, and to inform the psychological and legal communities and the general public of current research, educational and service activities in the field of psychology and law. The AP-LS publishes the journal Law and Human Behavior and a newsletter entitled AP-LS News.[1]
History
The American Psychology–Law Society (AP-LS) was developed at a
There was a controversy in 1971, when the founder, Jay Ziskin, wrote a book which stated that psychological evidence often did not meet reasonable criteria and should not be used in court of law. This statement sprouted debate in the society and caused the society's popularity to decline for a while. After this, June Louin Tapp became president of the society.[3]
In 1976, Bruce Sales became the society's president, and helped refocus the society on the field of psychology and law. Sales had the goal to have the American Psychology–Law Society be the driving force behind the group. Sales, along with Ronald Roesch, helped the group publish many books, including Psychology in the Legal Process, Perspectives in Law and Psychology, and the journal Law and Human Behavior.[2]
In the 1980s, Florence Kaslow asked the group to help develop a certification for forensic psychologists, but the group was not interested. This led Kaslow to create the American Board of Forensic Psychology, which helped keep the American Psychology–Law Society and forensic psychology separated. In the 1980s Division 41 of the APA began to discuss law and psychology, and began covering many similar policies of the AP-LS. Therefore, in 1983, Division 41 and AP-LS merged, under the agreement that Law and Human Behavior would be the journal for the group, and that the biennial meetings would continue to be held. The "new AP-LS" allowed for previous presidents to have a second term in the society, including Bruce Sales, who was the first president of the merged society.[4]
Specialty Guidelines
In 1991, the
The Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychologists were first published in 1991. They are guidelines for forensic psychologists to encourage professional, quality, and systematic work in the
After an extensive revision process, the Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychology were updated in October 2012.[5][6]
Membership
The AP-LS is composed of APA members, graduate and undergraduate students, and people in related fields to join the society. The members primarily have an interest in psychology and law issues. Many members are also members of the American Psychological Association, though it is not a requirement. Members gain access to the publications of Law and Human Behavior and the American Psychology-Law newsletter.[1]
Awards and honors
The AP-LS offers many grants and aid for undergraduates, graduates, early careers professionals, and research. In addition to grants, many awards are handed out yearly.[1]
- The AP-LS Award for Best Undergraduate Paper: This award is given to an undergraduate student who has a paper focused on psychology and law.
- Dissertation Awards: These awards are distributed for scientific research relevant to the study of psychology and law. Winners may present their research at the AP-LS annual conference.
- The Saleem Shah Award: This award is also sponsored by the American Academy of Forensic Psychology. It is awarded for early career excellence and contributions to the field.
- Outstanding Teaching and Mentoring in the Field of Psychology and Law: This is an award to recognize excellence in teaching of subjects related to psychology and law.
- AP-LS Award for Distinguished Contribution to Psychology and Law: This is not awarded on a regular basis. It is an award reserved for unusual excellence and contributions in the field that are so important that it merits special commendations.
- The American Psychology-Law Society Book Award: This is awarded to a book each year to recognize outstanding scholarship in the field of psychology and law.
- AP-LS/AACP Award for Contributions to Correctional Psychology: This is also given by the American Association for Correctional Psychology. This award is given to professionals who have made an impact on the field of correctional psychology.
Publications
- Law and Human Behavior: This journal is published six times a year. It discusses the issues that arise in law and psychology, including the legal process, the legal system, and the relationships between these and human behavior.
- AP-LS News: AP-LS publishes a monthly newsletter that is sent to its full e-mail list of members. These newsletters update on activities, volunteer and leadership opportunities, important legal cases that are occurring, new publications, and emerging topics in the field of psychology and the law. Past newsletters are available here: https://ap-ls.org/newsletter. [1]
Division 41 Presidents
Year | President |
---|---|
1985–86 | Bruce Dennis Sales |
1986–87 | Stephen J. Morse |
1987–88 | Shari Seidman Diamond |
1988–89 | Michael Jay Saks |
1989–90 | Thomas Grisso |
1990–91 | Gary B. Melton |
1991–92 | Stephen L. Golding |
1992–93 | Norman G. Poythress Jr. |
1993–94 | Ronald Roesch |
1994–95 | Jane S. Goodman-Delahunty |
1995–96 | Kirk Stephen Heilbrun |
1996–97 | Gail S. Goodman
|
1997–98 | John C. Brigham |
1998–99 | James R. P. Ogloff |
1999–00 | Murray Levine |
2000–01 | Steve Penrod |
2001–02 | Stephen D. Hart |
2002–03 | Randy K. Otto |
2003–04 | Solomon M. Fulero |
2004–05 | Edie Greene |
2005–06 | Gary L. Wells |
2006–07 | Joel A. Dvoskin |
2007–08 | Margaret Bull Kovera |
2008–09 | Saul M. Kassin |
2009–10 | Edward P. Mulvey |
2010–11 | Patricia A. Griffin |
2011–12 | Brian L. Cutler |
2012–13 | William E. Foote |
2013–14 | Jennifer Skeem |
2014–15 | Patricia Zapf |
2015–16 | Jennifer Woolard |
2016–17 | David DeMatteo |
2017–18 | Eve Brank |
2018–19 | Kevin S. Douglas |
2019–20 | Jennifer Groscup |
2020–21 | Allison D. Redlich |
2021–22 | Lora Levett |
2022–23 | Barry Rosenfeld |
2023–24 | Daniel Murrie |
References
- ^ a b c d e f "American Psychology-Law Society". Retrieved 3 December 2014.
- ^ .
- ^ Roesch, Ronald; Hart, Stephen; Ogloff, James. Psychology and Law: The state of the Discipline. pp. 423–424.
- ^ a b Wrightsman, Lawrence (2000). Encyclopedia of Psychology. New York, NY: American Psychological Association. pp. 493–498.
- PMID 23025747.
- ^ "Speciality Guidelines for Forensic Psychology". Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ "Past presidents, Div. 41 (AP-LS)". American Psychological Association, Divisions, Div. 41 (American Psychological-Law Society). Archived from the original on 2020-12-02. Retrieved 5 January 2020.