NCJ Number
55660
Date Published
1978
Length
305 pages
Annotation
THIS ANTHOLOGY DISCUSSES THE AREAS OF PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY THAT HAVE AFFECTED THE EVOLUTION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE.
Abstract
AFTER PROVIDING AN HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY AND FORENSIC PSYCHIATRY IN THE 19TH AND 20TH CENTURIES, THE ANTHOLOGY TRACES THE DEVELOPMENT OF THOSE PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUES WHICH BECAME INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT TO COURTS, CORRECTIONS, AND THE LEGAL PROFESSION. MUCH OF THE MATERIAL RELATES TO CONTEMPORARY ISSUES. AT A TIME WHEN LEGISLATURES ARE CONSIDERING THE PUNISHMENT OF JUVENILES AS ADULTS, IT DISCUSSES THE HISTORY OF THE PUNISHMENT OF CHILDREN. AS AN ANTECEDENT TO CONTEMPORARY DISCUSSIONS OF THE VALIDITY OF TESTIMONY OBTAINED THROUGH THE USE OF DRUGS, POLYGRAPHS, AND PSYCHIC REVELATIONS, THE EFFECT OF HYPNOSIS UPON STATEMENTS TO POLICE AND TESTIMONY IN COURT IS DISCUSSED. TODAY'S DEBATES ABOUT GENETICS ARE FORESHADOWED IN A DISCUSSION OF AN EARLIER THEORY THAT EPILEPSY IS A CERTAIN SIGN OF CRIMINALITY. THE TREATMENT BY THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM OF THE INSANE AND THE HISTORICAL STRUGGLE TO DEFINE MENTAL ILLNESS AND CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY ARE CONSIDERED IN A THOROUGH REEXAMINATION OF THE TRIAL OF DANIEL M'NAGHTEN, WHICH PROVIDES A GLIMPSE OF 19TH CENTURY CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN ITS EFFORTS TO DETERMINE THE CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY OF A MURDERER WHOSE SANITY IS DOUBTED. THE EVOLUTION OF MENTAL HOSPITALS FROM PRISONS AND THE EFFORTS OF PSYCHIATRISTS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, AND PHRENOLOGISTS IN THEIR CRUSADE FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND PENAL REFORM ARE ALSO CONSIDERED. IN GENERAL, THESE SELECTIONS FROM AMERICAN AND ENGLISH SOURCES REFLECT A BROAD RANGE OF INQUIRY INTO THE INTERACTION OF PROFESSIONALS WORKING IN PSYCHIATRY, PSYCHOLOGY, AND MENTAL HEALTH WITH OTHERS WORKING IN THE COURTS, CORRECTIONS, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT. A BIBLIOGRAPHY AND AN INDEX ARE PROVIDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--RCB)