SMU | YPH SCHOOL OF LAW | 2026
SEMINAR 1
INTRODUCTION TO LAW & PSYCHOLOGY
Seminar synopsis
Hello, and welcome aboard Law & Psychology!
This week, we take some time to get all of you up to speed with the fascinating world of psychology (most, if not all, of you are law students, so we'll leave the "law" part of this course aside for the moment).
Fundamentals matter (especially when we're all setting foot into a new but exciting discipline), so we'll start from the very beginning by taking an helicopter view of psychology. Through the assigned readings, we explore at psychology's main areas of study and application, including its various subfields. We'll also consider the work of psychologists in research and in real-world settings.
When we come to class, we will broadly explore the world of forensic psychology - a space where the disciplines of law and psychology intersect. We'll be introduced to the predominant issues that characterise this subfield. We'll also get a preview of the key themes and topics we’ll cover in the weeks ahead. It’s your first map of the exciting territory we'll traverse for the rest of the term!
Readings and videos
Hyperlinks provided for your convenience, where possible.
The following chapter from Openstax Psychology 2e (this is a free online textbook)
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Chapter 1: Introduction to Psychology
Watch the following quick video to reinforce the introductory readings above
The following chapter from Weiner :
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Chapter 2: Defining Forensic Psychology
The following chapter from Bartol (Reserves 3 Hours KF8965 .B37 2015):
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Chapter 2: Psychology and the Courts: An Overview
Graham M. Davies, & Gisli H. Gudjonsson, Psychologists in the Witness Box, The Psychologist.
Think about these as you make your way through the readings
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What exactly is psychology, if you had to sum it up in just a sentence or two?
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What are some of the ways in which law and psychology intersect?
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Among the key areas of research and application in forensic psychology, which interests you the most?
Prep work (to be completed before class)
After completing the assigned readings, you should now have a broad sense of the major issues and topics at the intersection of law and psychology. Your task is to find one real-world example that shows how these two fields interact. This can be from any jurisdiction, and in the form of a court judgment or a credible news article. The case can be criminal, family, or civil.
After you select the case, you should:
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Identify where law and psychology intersect in the case. What psychological issues are present?
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Think about the role of psychology in resolving those issues. What did the legal system need from psychology in this case? Did psychology help resolve the issues in the case?
Be prepared to share your case and thoughts in class when called upon to do so. Have a digital or hard copy of the case or article with you in class so you can refer to it if needed.
This exercise is not about getting the “right” answer. Rather. it’s about starting to spot the different ways psychology matters to legal thinking and practice. Choose something that interests you, and be ready to discuss it.