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Synopsis
This book examines decision making by appellate judges from a psychological viewpoint. The process of deciding a case, from the initial decision whether to grant certiorari to the final announcement of a decision, is analyzed using contemporary concepts from the field of psychology, especially social cognition theory. The impact of amicus briefs submitted to the courts by the American Psychological Association is evaluated.
Booknews
Wrightsman (psychology, U. of Kansas) attempts to establish whether psychological analysis provides us with useful information about how judges make their professional decisions and evaluates whether the field has effectively influenced the courts. To do this, he addresses the following topics: how judges decide; opinion formation and expression; attempts to influence judges; the role of the chief justice; responses to influence; the history of the psychology-law relationship; the American Psychological Association's (APA) organized activity; the APA's attempts to influence the Supreme Court; unsuccessful attempts to influence the Court; and the future of the psychology-law relationship. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)